KIDDERMINSTER driver Nathan Freke will be back behind the wheel when he competes in one of the world's biggest races, Walter Hayes Trophy, at Silverstone this weekend.

The race, dedicated to the man behind the Formula Ford competition, is the largest single make of car tournament in the world, with over 200 entries expected to take part over the weekend.

Freke, who has endured a frustrating season without a team, will be eager to get back into action and improve on his previous two attempts in the race, where he finished third in 2005 and eighth in 2003.

"I am really pleased to be able to race at the Walter Hayes meeting this year after missing out last year because of contractual difficulties," said Freke.

"The Walter Hayes meeting is one of the most prestigious meetings in the British Motorsport calendar and anybody who wins it will have done very well.

"I am just pleased to be racing again having sat out most of 2007 and to be able to showcase my talents once again, but I would need it to rain to stand any chance of victory in a totally unknown car against more competitive machinery."

The 2006 Formula Ford champion was not planning to compete in the competition this year because he has hired his own car out to raise funds in order to help pay for a competitive place with a team in 2008.

But fellow driver Richard Misters came to his rescue and offered him a drive in his spare car 1993 model Ford, which Freke can drive for the price of its restoration.

With Freke only able to get access to the car from the end of the week it gives him little time to acclimatise to it and prepare it for the race.

To keep costs down Freke will take care of the car's engineering himself over the weekend.

"I am going to be very busy this weekend, although Thursday and Friday will be the most important days because that's when I will be getting the car race ready," added the driver.

"There could be little problems and I haven't had a chance to drive the car, which has been in storage 18 months, so it's hard to tell how I will do.

"This is still a chance to show what I am about. I am hoping for rain because it's a great leveller."

With the racing season all but over for 2007 Freke and his father Clive are concentrating on finding a drive and avoid another frustrating year.

Freke had been set to drive in America this season but the deal fell through at the last minute and left him teamless.

With an estimated £200,000 needed by a driver to help find a team the driver has been busy generating new funds to get him back on track.

Freke said: "At the moment there's a lot on the table but nothing has happened yet.

"We have worked hard to make sure I am not in the same predicament again next year. The biggest obstacle to finding a team is having the financial muscle to back yourself up, but the closer it gets to a new season the more prices are driven down."