With his contemporary Morgan Aero 8 no longer eligible for the British GT Championship, Keith Ahlers is switching to racing with the Masters Racing Series in 2008 at the wheel of the stunning Cooper Monaco 'King Cobra'.

Ahlers has acquired the 4.7-litre Ford V8-powered Cooper Monaco previously campaigned by Chris Phillips and Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams, and will race it in a full programme of Sports Racing Masters events.

"With the GT Cup class gone from British GT for 2008, it was a case of thinking about what to do this season," explained Ahlers. "I've got the ex-Chris Lawrence Le Mans Morgan 'TOK 258' so I was already familiar with historic racing," he said. The famous Morgan won the 2-litre class in the 1962 Le Mans 24-Hour race.

Late last year, the chance to race the mighty 4.7-litre Monaco caught his attention and Sports Racing Masters is the ideal place for the car. "It's just such good fun," said Ahlers after an initial test session. "It is so fast, but with not much grip!"

He is now planning a full SRM season, including races at Spa and the Nurburgring. "It's a nice programme and takes in my sort of tracks. I'd love to have the chance to race it at Goodwood as well."

Ahlers has already enjoyed success at Goodwood, having won the Fordwater Trophy in 2006 at the wheel of his SLR Morgan.

The opening Sports Racing Masters event of 2008 will be at Thruxton over the Easter weekend as the Hampshire track celebrates its 40th anniversary.