Nathan Freke gets to race the car he was so successful in at the Young Driver tests at Snetterton 2006.

2006 UK Formula Ford champion Nathan Freke will compete in next weekend`s British Touring Car-supporting Porsche Carrera Cup races at Oulton Park in the guest Porsche Motorsport car.

As part of their association with the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Of The Year Award, Porsche are handing over their guest car to each of the six 2006 finalists for one weekend during the course of the season. Freke, 23, is the second to take on the Carrera Cup, and is looking forward to the pair of races in the one-make sportscar series.

“I drove the Porsche as part of the Young Driver finals and I was absolutely amazed - I loved it,” said Freke. “Sportscar and GT racing could be the next step of my career, so this is a big opportunity for me.”

Freke had planned to compete in ChampCar Atlantic this season, but budgetary problems kept him out of the series, meaning the Oulton Park double-header will be Nathan`s first races of 2007 in any category. While still keeping his single-seater dream alive, Nathan hopes to show himself well against a strong field that includes former McLaren Autosport Award winner Steven Kane and ex-BTCC champion Tim Harvey.

“Our main focus is now finding a single-seater budget for 2008, but I want to do well in the Porsche and try and open some doors. It`s going to be very tough but I`ll give it my all and hope to get up amongst the quicker guys. I`ve only raced at Oulton Park once, but I absolutely loved it. It`s a real drivers` circuit!” said Freke.

Story by Clive Freke