Nathan Freke stuns the MR2 community with a record run at the Redline Ten of the Best 2007.

2006 British Formula Ford Champion, Nathan Freke, took to a different track last weekend at Elvington Airfield near York. Unable to secure a race seat due to budget problems so far this year Nathan took the opportunity to take part with his road car in one of the largest performance and tuning car days in the UK. The Redline Magazine ‘Ten of the Best’ competition is held annually and brings together the most powerful road legal cars in the country in 3 disciplines – ¼ mile drag strip, 1 mile top speed, and a handling course.

Nathan competed with his road going MR2 as part of the UK MR2 team, which is prepared by Nathan himself including a recent engine rebuild. Nathan expected to do well in the handling course but only had 1 run at it and crossed the line going backwards after putting the power on too early. As rain was expected Nathan made his way to the drag strip and on run one clocked a respectable 11.5 ¼ mile. Change of fuel and tyres and run 2 turns into something special. Up against a Dodge Viper Nathan puts in the 4th fastest drag run by a street legal MR2 ever validated anywhere in the world of 10.41 seconds with a terminal speed of 133 mph – a mark not bettered by any other 2 wheel drive car over the day.

Sadly the next run which was to include a top speed mile run caused the car to overheat and only 167.9 mph was recorded instead of the expected 185 plus. This meant the end of any further runs on the drag strip or handling course as Nathan sat out the day watching the other rear wheel drive cars try to better his mark – some of which had over 1000 bhp. At the end of the day Nathan topped the charts in the rear wheel drive drag times and 11th place overall only bettered by out and out drag saloons and 4 wheel drive cars.

Desperate to take part in the end of day shoot out with a chance to go up against the top 4wd car Nathan topped the engine coolant up and tore down the strip in the semi final to beat his opponent comprehensively and take his place in the overall final –sadly a blown head gasket prevented his participation, against the Viper he beat in the RWD runs earlier in the day to win that class.

Nathan once again proved his competitive credentials by lowering the British and European ¼ mile record for a road legal MR2 by over ½ a second to become the Ten of the Best RWD Drag Class Winner.

‘I really enjoyed today, it was great to be taking part in a competition driving and it was even better to win, particularly in a car where I built the engine. It would have been nice to take part in the overall final but a small water pump leak caused all of the trouble, but no serous damage. I am still trying to secure a drive for the remainder of the season as well as trying to secure funding for 2008 – I still believe I can race at the absolute top level – I just need the right break.’ commented Nathan afterwards.