KIDDERMINSTER'S Nathan Freke has cranked his motor-racing career into overdrive by securing the top drive in the new National Formula Ford Duratec series for 2006.

Negotiations for Freke to drive for the Jamun Racing Team, the 2005 British Formula Ford Champions, were successfully concluded last week.

He will replace 2005 champion Charlie Donnelly and 2005 festival winner and Duncan Tappy as Jamun's lead driver.

Jamun who will be running four drivers are looking to Freke to carry on their winning ways while the other three gain experience at this level.

Tony Munday, Jamun team principal, said: "We have watched Nathan over the 2005 season competing in various FF1600 races in one of our older cars.

"We see him as the natural successor to our departing drivers. He is an excellent racer who should adapt well to the new formula."

Freke will contest the newly launched Formula Ford National series in a 2006 French Mygale Chassis, fitted with the new Ford Duratec race engine.

Ford have introduced the engine as a replacement for the ageing Zetec power plant which has been in use since 1996.

The series has over £1 million in publicity and backing from Ford, including full TV coverage, initially on Sky with possible repeats on terrestrial channels.

Formula Ford is still seen as the natural path towards higher formulas such as F3 and F1, despite the attempts to push the Renault and BMW series over the last few years.

Freke said: "I see this as a major opportunity to further my racing career, and am looking forward to putting the new outfit through its paces in late January.

"If I can repeat the successes of 2005 then I will have the best opportunity to achieve my goal of becoming a professional racing driver at the absolute top level.

"My 2005 sponsors Newnet have provided the majority of the required funding for next year and we will be conducting negotiations over the coming weeks to secure the rest of the necessary funds to complete the season."