FELSTED racer Michael Lyons claimed two top four finishes in the latest round of the International GT Open at Jerez in Spain.

The 22-year-old and Italian team mate Matteo Baretta rounded out the event in fourth in the GTS standings, just seven points shy of the class points lead.

The consistently strong pairing produced a series of determined performances and impressively overcame two tough qualifying sessions to maintain their championship challenge.

“Finishing fourth in GTS in both gives us good, solid points and we always knew it was going to be a track we’d struggle at so I’m not too disappointed really,” said Lyons.

“To be up there in the GTS standings is where we need to be at the halfway point, we’re pretty satisfied with that.”

While happy with fourth in GTS and 10th position overall during round seven on Saturday, Lyons was disappointed to have missed out on a potential class podium when held up by two cars following the mandatory driver-change pit-stop.

Beretta took the opening stint of the first race and, despite focusing on preserving the tyres, managed to make up a few places in the AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia before handing over to Lyons.

Taking the pit-stop at a point which should have fed the Briton back into clean air, the team’s plans were unfortunately spoiled when two McLarens emerged in front.

Despite the delay, he was able to work his way through into sixth in GTS prior to the appearance of the red flags due to a serious fire. Post-race though, he was elevated into fourth as a result of fresh penalties for two errant McLarens.

In round eight on Sunday, Lyons took the opening stint and from 13th he fought his way through into the GTS top 10, despite some early contact, before handing the Ferrari over to his team-mate.

Beretta then battled through into fourth in class to secure another deserved haul of points.

Lyons will return to racing on UK soil for the fifth event of the 2013 International GT Open with rounds nine and 10 of the season taking place four weeks from now, on July 13-14, at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit in Northamptonshire.