Sargent: ELMS Debut a “Big Tick” in Porsche Career Goals

Photo: Proton Competition

Tom Sargent says he hopes his full season debut in Europe will help provide a “big tick” in the Australian’s quest of becoming a Porsche-contracted driver.

The 22-year-old, who has spent the last three years racing primarily in the U.S., is making his European Le Mans Series debut in this weekend’s season opener in Barcelona aboard one of Proton Competition’s Porsche 911 GT3 R Evos in the LMGT3 class alongside co-drivers Richard Lietz and Matt Kurzejewski.

It will mark only Sargent’s third race start in Europe after contesting last year’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa and GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup round at the Nürburgring, both with Porsche squad Wright Motorsports.

While being a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver, Sargent revealed that the drive came through a series of connections, including his local gym in Charlotte, N.C.

“Matt, our Bronze driver, he decided he wanted to do the ELMS championship,” Sargent told Sportscar365.

“He originally started in stock car stuff. He wanted to do NASCAR originally and it didn’t work so he took a break and he’s come back now and did Ferrari Challenge and now it’s first season with Porsche.

“But when he decided he wanted to do ELMS, he started looking for a team and a lineup. From what I hear, he had very good European connections but not within Porsche.

“He got linked up with Proton. He was like, ‘Cool, we’re going to run a Porsche. We need to find drivers now.’

“He started talking with some pro drivers, some of which suggested me as a Silver.

“But then one of the bigger tie-ups is that we both attend PitFit (motorsports gym). I attend in Charlotte and he’s a remote client because he lives in Pennsylvania.

“Nonetheless, we actually have the same coaches and regime for training-wise. The contact came through there but also by recommendations from some other pro drivers.

“He got my number from PitFit and we started talking.”

Sargent, who is coming off a dominant weekend in last month’s GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season opener at Sonoma Raceway with GMG Racing, also competes in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races, also in a Porsche but with Wright.

He said adding a European program was one of his biggest targets in being able to compete in Porsche’s backyard and prove his potential to a wider audience.

“I think this is going to be good for me because, ultimately, the end goal is still to [land] a factory contracted drive,” he explained.

“I want that to be with Porsche because I’ve been with them for a while and it’s been good.

“That’s doable in the U.S. for sure. But when you’re in Europe racing, you’re closer to where they are and it’s easier to be noticed. I don’t know if easier is the right word, but but it gets you closer for them to notice you.

“It’s not like it’s unachievable in the U.S. because what I’ve been doing there has been quite good and it’s working well. But this is a good step.

“It ticks off the European tracks which is a big thing. And it just gets me closer to the home of Porsche, where the decisions are made.

“A lot of the times I’ve been talking to drivers trying to line up things in Europe. They say, ‘It’s good that you’ve got the experience but you don’t really know the tracks.’

“Now this is going to be a big tick for me.

“All of a sudden I’m going to pick up five new race tracks I’ve never been too before and hopefully that’s going to be a big thing to help me secure more drives as well and bridge that gap to that factory contracted program with Porsche.”

Sargent “Blown Away” By Lietz’s Ability, Experience

The FIA Silver-rated driver said he’s been able to already take lessons from veteran Porsche factory driver Lietz, a six-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and arguably the German manufacturer’s most experienced works driver.

“I’m very blown away with how good he is,” said Sargent. “He’s extremely clever and experienced.

“We’ve done two test days before here, one in Portimao and one in Imola, what I’ve already learned in that period of time is mind-blowing.

“His understanding, not just single things, everything… Race craft, setup to general awareness of what’s going on has been good. He’s so experienced.

“This is his 20th year as a Porsche factory driver. He’s almost been a factory driver as long as I’ve been alive!

“That level of experience is just out of control. It’s good to have him.

“But I’m also very impressed with Matt. He’s very fast, very calculated and aware of what’s going on.

“He’s not your traditional Bronze driver for sure. He’s extremely good, and in a European series, working with someone that speaks English is very good as well.

“All three of us have only been together for a couple of days, but we’ve been getting on very well and it’s been a good start.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John