Southampton racing driver Jon Barnes is fifth in the Autosport Caterham EuroCup after enjoying mixed fortunes at the Belgian Grand Prix Circuit of Spa Francorchamps.

Barnes qualified his Team Parker-prepared car in eighth place on the grid for the third round and was in contention for the lead when at half distance he was involved in a collision which put him out of the race.

"One of the leading bunch made a mistake at the chicane and we all bunched up," said Barnes. "I went for a gap which had disappeared by the time I arrived."

Barnes's retirement meant he had to start the fourth round from nearly the back of the grid - the 40th of 42 starters. Astonishingly he had battled his way through to the top ten by the end of the second lap and was up near the front within a further three laps.

By this time, though, his Team Parker teammate Chris Cooper was well on his way to victory. Barnes went on to claim fourth place and summed up: "fourtieth to fourth wasn't a bad result."

West Sussex driver Clive Richards won race one and now moves second behind championship leader Nelson Rowe who made the podium in both races.

Barnes is racing in the Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge this weekend May 25 & 26.