MOTORSPORT: Nathan Freke kept up his British Short Circuit 125 Gearbox Championships title challenge at the weekend with success in Cumbria.

After finishing second in the first two rounds to the same driver, it was important Freke racked up a win.

He tested on Friday in bad weather which allowed him to organise a wet set-up if it was needed on Sunday.

In Saturday's dry conditions, the Kidderminster teenager set the fastest practice time at Cumbria's Rowrah Kart Circuit.

On Sunday, a slight miscalculation due to the damp track left Freke on grid three for the heats after the timed session.

He made a good start in the first race and soon pressured the leader but could find no way through despite setting the fastest lap on the way to his second place.

The second heat produced a similar result which gave Freke a front-row start in the A final.

Out-thinking the pole man, the race ace produced an unusual blistering rolling start to lead into the crucial first corner.

Freke then drove with composure to hold off a local driver for five laps and the championship leader for the last 13 to win by just 0.3 of a second.

His success opened up the competition and a win in the next round at Belfast will put him in the lead.

The Wyre Forest star is aiming for a first success in the long circuit championship at Knockhill, north of Edinburgh.