Sabre Cook tells Motorsport Week about her journey from karting to racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America.

Cook is a professional racing driver and mechanical engineer who currently drives for MDK Motorsports in the Porsche Carrera Cup.

In 2023, she became the first female driver to compete in the North American series, representing Era Motorsport.

Cook told Motorsport Week: “There are so many different things I am passionate about and I have always tried my best to pursue my dreams and goals.

“Everything worked out quite well and I was really lucky to get this support from so many sides.”

The American racing driver has been racing since she was eight years old and worked her way up to Formula 4 and W Series before competing in the Carrera Cup.

Cook said: “My dad used to race supercross motocross professionally and my mum didn’t want me to race motorcycles, so I started karting just before my eighth birthday.

“I eventually progressed in the karting scene and won three world championships, three national championships and also some regional championships.

“Car racing is obviously expensive, so I didn’t really have a chance to show my talent until I got sponsorship in 2017.”

But Cook doesn’t just race. After studying engineering, she also worked as a design engineer for chassis composites for the Renault F1 team.

“I’ve always loved school,” she explained. “I liked math and science, so it was a natural fit for me to study engineering. It’s something I’m really passionate about and it’s reflected in my racing.”

“Being a rider is definitely my biggest passion and focus, but I always tend to look at things from a more technical and analytical perspective.”

The 30-year-old driver has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and balances her racing career with her education.

While competing in kart races across the country, she managed to win the Infiniti Engineering Academy program.

“When I was going to school and driving at the same time, it was really, really hard. I learned to manage my time better and balance things better,” Cook said.

“I was fortunate that the university I attended eventually treated me like a collegiate athlete and granted me as many excused absences as any other athlete at the school.

“I have so many different passions and have always tried my best to pursue my dreams and goals. Everything has worked out quite well and I have been really lucky to have this support from many sides.”

Cook currently drives the No. 37 Porsche Carrera 911 GT3, sponsored by PenFed Credit Union, which supports her on and off the track.

Off the track, Cook mentors a number of female drivers and also creates content and speaks on panels for women in motorsport.

She said: “I remember people being quite positive and encouraging from a young age. I was really lucky to have a lot of positive support from the start.

“I was very lucky that my parents never said, ‘Oh, your girl, you can’t do that.’ I had a father who always treated me the same, no matter what.

“He said, ‘Well, if you really want it, let’s do it. I’m going to put the same pressure on you as I would on a boy or a son, and that’s how you’re going to win.’

“My dad taught me from a young age how to work hard and what it takes to be successful. And having someone like him is really valuable.”

Cook says she wants to teach more young women about motorsports and hopes to inspire as many young girls as possible.

The only female driver in the Carrera Cup coaches and supports young drivers in finding their way in motorsport.

She said: “I see a young girl who I think has a lot of potential. I’m going to get in touch with her and just see if she’s interested in anything.

“I have also worked for a few different schools and so they approach me to act as a coach for race weekends or school events.
“I’m currently mentoring a few young girls virtually and training with them a lot. It’s pretty convenient because you can connect to anywhere in the world at any time.”

Cook has a full season ahead of her and is working to score points with her Porsche and improve her skills as a driver.

She hopes to continue competing at the highest level in motorsport and is ready to compete in various forms of motorsport.