KIDDERMINSTER racing driver Nathan Freke tested himself to the limit when he secured victory in the gruelling Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai race at the weekend.

His victory in the SP3 class was all the more impressive, as this was Freke’s Century Motorsport team’s first ever 24-hour race.

He set the tone during the week, topping the timesheets in two of the four free practice sessions before he qualified the car, late on Thursday evening, in second place for the race on Friday.

Starting at 2pm last Friday, a strategy was formulated to utilise Freke’s speed and experience to take some daytime driving, but to take a majority of the night stints to gain advantage over their competition.

During the race a fuel tank issue and a brake pad failure were the only major issues to affect the driver’s class-winning Ginetta.

Following repairs at the 18-hour mark, it was plain sailing for the car to conclude the victory by four laps ahead of the second-placed car.

Freke was supported by Bolton University and their other driver Anna Walewska, as well as Tom Oliphant and Aleksander Schjerpen to secure his and Century Motorsport’s first win at the event one their first attempt.

He said: “I am delighted with taking the win in our first 24-hour attempt.

“The car just ran faultlessly for the race and during the evening we had to really drive it hard in order to make time up for the two minor problems, so it didn’t have an easy life.

“I’m so proud of everyone who was involved in this. It’s been a dream come true for me.

“Tom, Aleksander and Anna did an amazing job and I just couldn’t have hoped for any more.

“We are now looking to build upon this victory to secure further backing to participate in other similar race in Europe.”

After Le Mans and the Spa 24, Dubai is considered to be the most prestigious 24-hour race.

In terms of environment though it gives the most difficult test of both driver and machinery of 24-hour race.

As part of the link-up with University of Bolton, Freke helps to provide student experience in the race team.

He also mentors Walewska and students and it’s the first time he’s had a fully funded drive.