SOUTHAMPTON'S fast-improving sports car driver Ricky Cole has signed up to race in one of the world's biggest endurance events - the famous Sebring 12-hour race in March.

The 21-year-old racer takes the wheel of the supercharged Saleen S7-R for the Leicester-based Graham Nash Motorsport team, who are also hoping to gain entry into this year's Le Mans 24-hour race.

This will be the biggest career step for the Southampton-based driver, who has just completed two very successful seasons and is embarking on his third British GT title challenge in 2005.

Cole said: "I am very pleased to have signed with GNM. Now is the right time for me to take steps towards the international levels of GT racing. This is a big opportunity and it is a dream of mine to race at Sebring. I believe the Saleen S7-R to be the right car for me.

"I don't know much about the car but I know that this team work really hard on preparation, as their results showed last season."

He added: "My aim is to prove that I can drive at this level. It will be very tough with the quality of the field, but I am looking forward to getting stuck in and giving them all a run for their money.

"I would like to thank my sponsors Palletforce for helping me to make this career move and I'm sure I will learn a lot from my teammates, both of whom are very experienced at this level of racing, with quite a few Le Mans appearances and notable finishes between them. It's all part of the learning curve for me."

GNM sporting director Andy Woolgar added: "We are very pleased to have signed Ricky. This race is very important to GNM as it is part of our Le Mans build-up, but we feel he will acquit himself very well.

"He may be young but he has a very mature outlook. We are keen to see his progress, and we feel he will be a valued asset to the already strong GNM squad."

Cole has campaigned in a Corvette C5-R in partnership with Pete Le Bas in the British GT Championship over the past two seasons and sees the transition to the seven-litre Saleen as a natural step.

Right now just one race is scheduled but talks are already taking place to see Ricky back with GNM during the 2005 season.

His teammates are the experienced Californian Rick Sutherland and Londoner Nigel Smith, who has graduated from single-seater racing.