Jack maintains GB kart title bid

The 17-year-old travelled to the scenic Glan Y Gors circuit, near Betws Y Coed in North Wales, to contest the fourth round of the series buoyed by his maiden triumph four weeks earlier.

Barlow posted the third fastest lap in a tight timed qualifying session and he went on to win the first heat despite rain falling on and off moments after he taken the lead.

He was leading the following race before eventually bringing his kart home in second place to secure pole position for the first of two points-scoring finals.

Despite getting away well, Barlow soon lost the lead and dropped to third before overtaking Matthew Graham at the hairpin and pulling away for a comfortable second place at the chequered flag.

Barlow really suffered from tyre degradation in the second final, though, and was reasonably happy to finish fourth in the end after hanging on and doing the best he could under the circumstances.

He said: “There are three more rounds to go and that means a total of six points-scoring finals, so it is all still to play for. I’m confident I can close the gap.”

This weekend sees Jack returning to the category that established his reputation and attracted the interests of several Formula One teams, Rotax.

He will contest the ‘British Grand Prix of Karting’ Kartmasters at PFi in Lincolnshire. Having won the junior rotax title last year, he has been invited to race for Intrepid UK in the senior class.