Shift Up Now Athlete Sabre Cook announced today that she’s been cleared to return to racing after suffering a severe injury on June 26, 2021.
The injury occurred when another competitor’s car collided with Cook’s car during the first lap of the 2021 W Series season opener at Red Bull Ring. Cook’s injuries were significant: A right hip labral tear, hip impingement, herniated L5, compressed L1 and L2, spinal canal narrowing, SI joint disfunction and sacrolititis.
The 27-year-old, Colorado native underwent hip surgery for labral repair, femoroplasty and acetabuloplasty. She also had several spinal SI injections and an extensive rehab program, including more than 15 months of physical therapy and intensive recovery.
"I cannot thank my doctors, physical therapists, physios, trainers, and all support medical staff enough for their diligence and guidance through this difficult injury and rehab process,” said Cook. “They all made it a priority to get me back to the driver's seat as soon as possible. A big thank you as well to the love and support my friends and family have given to help me overcome this challenge."
Now cleared to race again, Cook plans to drive for Round 3 Racing at Sebring and COTA in the World Racing League, with support from Hagerty and Shift Up Now. In addition, she’s coaching, engineering and working to test as much as her budget will allow while getting back to peak driving condition.
She’s been working hard on her plans for 2023 and will announce details in the next few months.
"The feeling I had when Dr. Roberson at OrthoIndy told me I was cleared to get back in a race car was pure elation,” said Cook. “It's been a long road but in many ways I'm so grateful for this challenge because it allowed me to learn so many new things, meet new people, and open doors for opportunities I might not otherwise have had.
“Having organizations like Hagerty and Shift Up Now supporting my return to racing is amazing because I know they both truly care about helping women in racing. When I got injured it wasn’t, ’on to the next driver’ but instead, ‘how can we help you get back in the seat? What support do you need right now? What opportunities can we give you in the meantime to help with costs?’ Everyone involved genuinely cared about my wellbeing and believed in my ability to come back stronger. Organizations with values and morals like that are ones I'm honored to be representing."
