MOTORSPORT: The expected confrontation between the Kidderminster Harriers car of Nathan Freke and Chelsea's Lee Caroline failed to materialise at Knockhill in the TVR Tuscan Challenge.

Despite testing well on Friday, Freke was beset with problems the next day and had to pull off the circuit in the first free practice.

A sheared front stub axle caused a front wheel to fall off and then a brake failure meant last place on the grid for Sunday's first race.

And Freke was unable to compete against Caroline on Saturday afternoon in the re-scheduled Silverstone contest as the crucial spare parts could not be gathered.

With the car repaired for Sunday, Freke made up a couple of places on the narrow track into the first corner and then traded places with three other cars at speeds of more than 140mph.

But then he hit the spinning car of TVR chairman Peter Wheeler at around 80mph, causing severe damage and making the second race touch and go.

Some ingenious modifications and new parts put the car on the grid with 10 minutes to spare and Freke showed all his skill and determination.

The driver tore through the opposition to gain seventh place and was fast gaining on sixth before the laps ran out.

He was finally able to show he can compete with the best when the car is set right but it is likely to be his last TVR race as the funding has run out.