SOUTHAMPTON dynamic young sportscar racer Ricky Cole will have a new co-driver in next year's British GT Championship.

Peter Le Bas, who shared many podium finishes with Cole, including a victory at Donington last month, can't commit himself to a full championship series in 2005 because of business commitments in the USA.

His place in the Hampshire-based Xero Competition team will be taken by Ryan Hooker, already known in local racing circles after a brief but successful association with Jensen Racing from Eastleigh.

Hooker was a Porsche 924 champion in 2002 and raced a 924 on occasions again this year, scoring maximum points each time he drove it.

He also tried his hand in the Jensen Motorsport Cup Class Corvette - a car which is now back in the Xero stable and being prepared for GT3 in 2005.

It will stand Hooker in good stead for 2005 when he and Cole will share the bright yellow Corvette C5 which made such an impression in this year's GT Championship.

The 25-year-old from Essex tested the Corvette at Donington last month and was very quick within three laps.

Xero team manager Dave Beecroft was instantly impressed and with Le Bas stepping down, asked him to come in and partner Cole.

Beecroft said: "Ryan has good technical ability which will help him fit in well with the team. I'm sure we'll get the best out of him and the car in 2005."

"I found the limit of the car very quickly," said Hooker. "It was great to drive the American supercar."

Cole, looking forward to his third season in the Corvette, said: "We plan to take in the British GT Championship with Ryan and also as many races as we can abroad.

"There's a chance my old partner Peter Le Bas will be back with us for any races on the continent as well as perhaps one or two big names from the world of GT and sports car racing.

"We are currently awaiting most championship schedules for 2005, but it looks as though we'll be able to take in the 1,000 kilometre race at Spa and the Willhire 24-Hour at Silverstone as well as some of the Belcar, Dutch Super Car and German Summer Cup events."