MOTORSPORT: Nathan Freke put his series of non-finishes in the MSA Division Two 250cc Superkart British Championships behind him at Knockhill, near Edinburgh.

In free practice, Kidderminster's Freke was almost untouchable in the wet and the under-powered engine was still reliable.

Timed practice on a dry Sunday placed Freke sixth on the grid for the first race, his highest qualifying position this year.

But his first race was disappointing with the rear of the kart becoming unstable during the last two laps, resulting in a 10th place and changes to the vehicle.

Starting from grid 10 next, Freke progressed quickly up to sixth and remained there to the end.

In a third race which did not affect the championship, Freke, still starved of power, managed fifth, giving him an overall fourth place on the day.

But it was a considerable improvement on the six laps managed at Brands Hatch three weeks ago.

Freke's next outing is in the European Division Two Superkart Championship races at Assen, Holland.

It forms part of the World Superbike meeting on the first weekend of August.