Cook Makes History with Podium Finish at COTA

May 5, 2021

Shift Up Now Athlete Sabre Cook earned a spot in the history books as the first female podium finisher in the category with her impressive Porsche Sprint Challenge North America debut for TPC Racing on May 1st and 2nd at Circuit of the Americas.

Driving the No. 37 TPC Racing/Apple Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Cook – who was also the first female entrant in the category’s history – started Saturday’s rainy race in fourth place and quickly advanced to third. She drove a flawless race and held onto the podium position through the checkered flag.

Weather conditions changed drastically for Sunday’s race as temperatures reached the upper 80s. Cook started the race in third. An opening-lap spin dropped her back the in field but she still managed to turn the third-quickest lap of the race and finish sixth, on the lead lap.

After the race, Cook was assessed a 35-second penalty for unnecessary contact and officially finished in eight place.

“There was lots of learning this weekend,” said Cook. “TPC and Spencer Pumpelly have been great coaching me through it, and giving me all the advice and tools that I need. Everyone is working really hard with the car and myself to get the best results possible.

“I was happy to get the podium [on Saturday]. Today, I’m sorry to the guys, I just made that mistake on the first lap and had the spin. I’m glad we were able to recover. I’m really looking forward to taking everything I learned this week and putting it together at VIR.”

TPC Racing Director of Operations Harry Levitas added, “Sabre is a newcomer to the team and comes from an open-wheel background. She stunned the entire paddock, I believe. She drove so great and I’m extremely proud of her.”

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