Southampton teenager Jon Barnes has moved into fourth place overall in the Autosport Caterham Eurocup after a sizzling performance at the Sachsenring in eastern Germany.

The 19-year-old from West End was on top form throughout the German meeting, qualifying his Team Parker Racing-prepared car in third place on the grid. But while Gloucestershire's Nelson Rowe sped to victory in the first of the day's races, Barnes was having trouble keeping pace. "The car was pretty quick at the start," he said, "but the handling seemed to suffer and I got slower and slower as the race progressed."

From third place Barnes slipped to fourth at the chequered flag. Things went better for him in race two, however. Revisions to the set-up of his car improved his performance and he made a good start to move into a solid third early in the race.

Then, five laps from home, he was gifted second place when Clive Richards spun. "It's the first bit of good luck I've had all year," said Jon.

Rowe won again to increase his championship lead. With four rounds remaining Barnes is fourth overall, 26 points behind.

Barnes will be back in the cockpit this weekend for the Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge races at Castle Combe in Wiltshire (see story above).

Also on the Combe grid will be Waterlooville's Pete James.