KIDDERMINSTER'S Nathan Freke claimed a convincing pair of race wins at Snetterton to accelerate into the lead of the UK Formula Ford Championship for the Jamun Racing team.
The 22-year-old racer's glory came at the expense of erstwhile points leader Peter Dempsey, who managed to salvage only one podium finish from the weekend.
Dempsey, the victor of the first four rounds of the championship, saw his winning streak brought to an end in the first of the day's races.
Though his Cliff Dempsey Racing-run Ray started from its customary pole position, the 20-year-old Irishman found himself out-gunned by Freke's Mygale.
The Worcestershire driver pulled ahead into Riches corner and grabbed a lead that he never looked in danger of losing.
Dempsey clung on for several laps but soon found himself under mounting pressure from the cars of Nick Tandy and Stephen Roberts.
Tandy managed to nose past both Roberts and Dempsey on the ninth lap -- but only for a matter of yards before spinning away his advantage at Sear and losing several slots.
As Freke romped home to a seven-second win, the biggest victory margin of the season so far, Roberts took advantage of Tandy's mishap to edge ahead of Dempsey and hold second for the remaining four laps.
Freke was delighted with his maiden UKFF win and said: "It's a big confidence boost finally to win. I concentrated on getting a good start, pulling a gap and being consistent, and it all paid off."
Race two provided the large Snetterton crowd with another helping of excitement, Freke making the most of his first pole of the year to establish an early lead.
Freke and Roberts traded top spot lap after lap, but Dempsey's hopes of getting a nose in front took a knock at the Esses on the 12th lap when he spun after contact with one of his rivals.
The Irishman lost 10 places and was forced into retirement a lap later with crash damage.
In the closing stages, Freke eased out just enough of a gap over Roberts to ensure his second win of the day. The UKFF stars are back in action this weekend at Brands Hatch.
Also in action at Snetterton was Bromyard 16-year-old Robert Hall.
Hall took 15th in race one and a personal-best 10th in race two.
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