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[Formula Ford, UK] Nathan Freke - Donington Park |
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Monday, 22 May 2006 |
Nathan Freke - Donington Park
Kidderminster motor racer Nathan Freke bagged another 2 podiums at the National Formula Ford Championship rounds 3 and 4 at Donington Park,unfortunately not the top spot.
After dominating free practice on Thursday at Donington in the dry, Nathan's lack of experience in the wet weather which greeted the Newnet backed driver in qualifying, left him in theu nusual position of having to start on grid 5 for round 3 and grid 3 for round 4.
'The car was really slippery, and although I could have claimed a front row with my last lap of qualifying I was baulked by a slower car and had to settle for 5th, I am a little disappointed to say the least.'commented Nathan.
Hopes were raised as the skys cleared for the first race and the track dried out, a good start and Nathan immediately makes up a place and closes in on the 3rd place car, unfortunately a 3 car incident brings out the safety car for 12 out of the 20 minute race. When the race proper restarts nathan immediately takes 3rd place only to lose it again as an engine glitch causes the car to lose straight line speed. Over the remaining few minutes nathan finally makes a move stick on the 3rd place man to grab the last podium place.
'I had the speed in the dry, but the safety car spoilt the race as it left virtually no time to do anything after the restart' said Nathan later.
Sunday morning for race 2 and the wet weather returns with a vengeance, starting on grid 3 with a number of changes made to the car hopes are high that nathan will get away in the lead to avoid having to drive in the spray. He nearly achieves his aim as he arrives at the first corner alongside the pole man, who manages to hold his line leaving nathan to chase round the whole 20 minutes in 2nd place.
'Despite being faster once I was close to the leader it was impossible to see the track so I had to back off to avoid hitting either him or the barriers, overall I would have like to win, but I am happier with the car in the wet now and have consolidated 2nd in the championship', said Nathan.
More information is available at www.nathan-freke.co.uk and www.formulaford.info
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