Monday 7th February 2005

Ricky Cole signs for GNM

Cole to helm 7-litre Saleen at Sebring 12 Hour event

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21 year old Ricky Cole has this weekend signed to contest the famous Sebring 12 Hours with Graham Nash Motorsport (GNM).

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.

Ricky 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, and I believe the Saleen S7 to be the right car for me".

He continued "To be fair, I don't know much about the car but I know that this team has really worked hard on preparation, as its results told last season".

"My aim is to prove I can drive at this level. It will be very tough with the field expected to enter, but I am looking forward to getting stuck in and giving them all a run for their money. I would like to thank my sponsor, Palletforce, for helping me to make this career move."

"I think I will learn a lot from my team mates, 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."

Team 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”.

Ricky has campaigned a Corvette C5-R with some very good results over the past two seasons and sees the transition to the seven-litre Saleen as a natural step. Just one race is scheduled for now, but talks are already taking place to see Ricky back with GNM during the 2005 season.

His team mates are the experienced Rick Sutherland from California and Nigel Smith from London.

[godmother]

Way to go Ricky! I'm sure all your UK based followers will be well behind you. Now, where's that website with cheap flights to the US?

[vetteheadracer]

Top man Ricky!

Pity it isn't a C6-R with Corvette Racing, but hey those Saleen's are still pretty quick

Don't forget to drink about 20 litres of water before you get in the car........

[john75]

Good luck Ricky I will be following your progress throughout the race.

Partnering up with Rick Sutherland and Nigel Smith will make sure the car runs near the front of its class.

[zebedee]

Nice one Ricky! So it might be water and not beer for you at Le Mans this year then??

[nick brown]

Remember us dicing in fVEE Ricky as well as the 24 hours at Circuit Alain Prost at Le Mans.Way to go mate good on you, will come and see you at races this year all the best for the future . Nick.

[john75]

john75 said:

Good luck Ricky I will be following your progress throughout the race. Partnering up with Rick Sutherland and Nigel Smith will make sure the car runs near the front of its class.

I feel I might have done a Murray Walker with this quote mind you from following the race on the web Ricky seemed to put in some great stints.

[zebedee]

bad luck indeed, though they were up against some formiddable opposition

[godmother]

GNM were steady as a rock for three-quarters of what was a great race, in particular the GT1. Just one of those things but a great effort from all concerned imo. Well done, Ricky, Nick and Nigel.