Race ace claims fifth podium

The 17-year-old from Pett finished second in the first points-scoring final at Rowrah in Cumbria and clawed his way up to fourth in the main final after recovering from a spin.

Barlow was lying third in the championship standings at the start of the weekend and was fourth fastest in timed qualifying having used full wet tyres on a drying track.

Undeterred and demonstrating the grit and ability that has marked him as one of the UK’s most outstanding talents, Barlow won the first of the two heats by more than a second-and-a-half.

Barlow, who won the Super One Junior Rotax title in brilliant style last year, was third in the following race, earning him P2 on the starting grid for Sunday’s first points-scoring final.

Although he led at the start, Barlow was hit from behind as he braked for the second hairpin, pushing him wide. But the offending driver was given a one-place penalty, boosting Barlow to second after the chequered flag.

In the main final, Barlow was pushed down a place in the surge to the fast, but tight, first right-hander almost immediately after the start. Reigning champion Mark Litchfield created an instant breakaway.