NATHAN Freke protected his pole position on the UK Formula Ford leaderboard with his third series win and a creditable fifth place finish at Brands Hatch last weekend.

Having stormed to the top of the championship standings with victories in the previous two wins, Freke was confident going into rounds seven and eight.

But things did not go completely according to plan when a heavy downpour and the wrong choice of tyres saw most of the drivers, including Freke, struggle in race one.

He had been quickest in Friday's practice but he had to settle for fifth place on Saturday as he and many of his rivals rued choosing wet tyres instead of slicks.

It was normal service resumed in race two on Sunday, however, as Freke romped home in his Newnet plc sponsored Jamun Racing Mygale Ford Duratec.

Starting in pole position in hot dry conditions overcame a poor start to burst past team-mate and guest driver Marc Murray who had burst out of the blocks.

Regaining the lead at Druids hairpin on the second lap, Freke lead the race away for the whole 31 lap distance, posting the fastest lap of the race and lapping the rest of the field up to 10th place.

"This win extends our lead in the championship and shows that we are leading the title chase on merit," said Freke.

"We are looking forward to the next round at Rockingham on August 12 and 13."

For more details about Freke and the UK Formula Ford Championship visit www.nathan-freke.co.uk and www.ukformulaf ord.co.uk

Freke's victories in rounds five and six at Snetterton will be repeated on Sky Sports 2 and 3 next Monday and Tuesday and the following Monday and Tuesday. Check the TV lisitngs for precise details.

Championship placings: 1 Freke 222 points, 2 Peter Dempsey 179, 3 James Nash 164, 4 Thor Christian Ebbesvik 152, 5 Nick Tandy 144, 6 Steve Roberts 142.

Meanwhile, Kidderminster's Mark Harrison dominated both rounds of the Monoposto 2000 Championship at Brands Hatch last weekend to extend his championship lead to 29 points.

Starting both races from pole position he managed back to back, flag to flag victories in the Aston Cross Garage Formula 3 Dallara F398.

Fellow Kidderminster Magic Motorsport driver Neil Harrison, driving his GS Customs Dallara F398, took second and third places to consolidate second position in the championship.