Nathan Freke takes 2 podiums at rounds 3 and 4 of the UK National Formula Ford Series

KIDDERMINSTER`S Nathan Freke maintained his UK Formula Ford Championship title bid at Donington Park at the weekend, claiming a brace of podium finishes in the latest rounds of the series.

Freke, 22, took his Jamun Racing Mygale - which is backed by Newnet, Marangoni Tyres and Advance Lifts - to third place in Saturday`s dry race and went one better on Sunday in the rain to claim second.

Ireland`s Peter Dempsey won both Donington events to slightly extend his championship lead.

Dempsey now has 125 points with Freke second on 106 points.

After dominating free practice on Thursday in the dry, Freke`s lack of experience in the wet weather hampered him in qualifying, leaving him in the unusual position of having to start on grid five for Round Three and grid three for Round Four.

Despite his starting position, Freke`s hopes were raised as the skies cleared and the track dried out for the first race.

A good start allowed Freke to move up a place and he had designs on third place when a three-car incident led to disruption as the safety car was brought out.

When the race restarted Freke immediately took third place, only to lose it again as an engine glitch caused his car to lose straight line speed.

In the last few minutes Freke finally made a move stick on the third-placed man, Norwegian Christian Ebbesvik, to grab the last podium place behind Dempsey and Nick Tandy.

“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 Freke.

The wet weather returned with a vengeance for Race Two on Sunday, with Freke`s crew making a number of changes to his car.

Hopes were high that Freke would get away in the lead to avoid having to drive in the spray.

But with Freke breathing down his neck, the pole man Dempsey managed to hold his line at the first corner leaving the Kidderminster driver to chase around in second place throughout the 20 minute race.

“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,” said Freke.

“Overall I would have like to win, but I am happier with the car in the wet now and have consolidated second in the championship.”

Story by Mat Kendrick