Emotional win for Barlow at Oulton Park

Just 24 hours before, his fledging career was looking in doubt due to a lack of funding, however a last gasp helping hand from his uncle allowed him to participate and then win the meeting’s first race.

On Friday, it appeared as if Barlow wouldn’t feature in the race until Gary - who owns Skinner’s of Rye - stepped in to ensure that his nephew could actually compete at the Cheshire venue.

Even once funding was secured, it wasn’t all plain sailing, as Barlow damaged his car in practice, though things were fixed in time for the Pett flyer to participate in qualifying.

Having secured an unexpected pole position for the day’s opening race, 18-year-old Barlow held off strong competition from Birmingham-based racer Jake Hughes to cruise home in first place.

The nature of the track - which Barlow had never raced on before - made overtaking a particular challenge, so he knew that his position at the head of

the field gave him the upper hand from the outset.

“I needed to maintain my advantage through the first few corners and then settle down,” Barlow explained. “I was pushed hard in the opening stages by Hughes, but chipped away to extend my lead and eventually won quite comfortably really.”

With positions reversed for the second race, Barlow ended seventh before a solid fourth place finish in race three (having started third). He now sits sixth in the championship standings.

Highlights of the action from Oulton Park, including Barlow’s brilliant lights-to-flag triumph, can be seen on ITV4 on Sunday from 6pm.