KIDDERMINSTER driving ace Nathan Freke made a rip-roaring start to the Ginetta G50 Championship at Brands Hatch with three podium places but his success was overshadowed by financial difficulties for his team.

The 27-year-old recorded two second places and a third to leave him third overall in the drivers’ standings.

Freke was also unlucky not to have won the second round after he was handed a two-second penalty for clashing with championship leader Carl Breese.

However, the Century Motorsport team’s struggle to find sponsorship means that they only have enough money to race in the next three rounds at Thruxton at the end of April.

“We can afford to race in Thruxton but after that it’s touch and go,” said father Clive Freke.

“The tyres and petrol are the most expensive things we have to pay for and it’s a big burden.

“We desperately need sponsors to come in and help us, otherwise what looks like a promising season may come to an end.

“We’ve looked very hard and a few have made some good noises but so far we have had nothing definite.”

Freke went into the first round determined to make up for two frustrating seasons of no competitive racing.

In qualifying he quickly found the pace and secured fourth place on the starting grid for the first round.

He soon moved up two places and successfully defended second place.

In the second round, Freke was involved in a battle with first round winner Breese and set a new course lap record of 49.147 seconds during the race.

In the 15th lap, the two cars clashed as Freke tried to overtake the race leader, which saw his bonnet damaged.

But with four laps to go the two cars clashed again and Freke went ahead to cross the line first.

However, he was demoted to second after being penalised for taking an unfair advantage.

“Nathan was a bit irked because he felt he had won the race and that he was unfairly treated,” commented his father.

“Carl Breese was the aggressor and Nathan was the victim so it seems harsh that he was given a time penalty.

“Still, it has been an excellent weekend and Nathan has shown that he’s got the pace to really compete in this competition.

“He set a new lap record for the tournament and has made the perfect start to the season.”

In the final round he bagged another podium with third place.

Drivers now has a three-week break from action until rounds four, five and six take place at Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire, over the weekend of April 25 and 26.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Nathan Freke can call his father, Clive, on 07710 232813.