Thomas Sargent eager to build his advantage down south

Following on from a faultless performance at Queensland Raceway, CHE Racing Team’s Thomas Sargent leads the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge approaching a rapid end to this year’s season.

Sargent holds a slight 10-point advantage from Earl Bamber Motorsport’s Ryan Wood, with the two emerging as the clear title combatants in this year’s second-tier Porsche series.

For the first time this season Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge races in Victoria, competing at the historic Sandown Raceway for the third round as part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship. Last time Sargent raced at Sandown, he achieved a clean-sweep in Formula Ford and is excited to return.

Melbourne’s fickle Spring weather is expected to play its part and adds another dimension as a wet race has not been contested this season in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge. At Sandown, there are various surface changes making it a unique scenario for drivers as three races will again be contested including the regular 45-minute endurance event to complete the event.

Having an intimate knowledge of his Porsche at his disposal due to the many hours working on it at the CHE Racing Team workshop, it becomes an advantage to Sargent on weekends like what’s predicted at Sandown in terms of both surface changes and unpredictable weather conditions.

The CHE Racing Team repeats double duty this weekend as Jimmy Piszcyk aims to extend his Australian Formula Ford Series at The Bend Motorsport, joined by Zak Lobko following a breakout performance last time at Morgan Park.

QUOTES

Thomas Sargent
#47 Tegra Australia, CHE Racing Team

“We’re always aiming for race wins this early in the season,” Sargent stated.

“We’re in with a pretty good shot this weekend, Sonic will be quick for sure, so it’ll be tight as usual and the weather is going to play a big part.

“I haven’t done any wet running in the Porsche, so that’s unknown, but I’ve had some good results in the rain driving the Formula Ford, which I’d like to think I’m relatively competent in those conditions. However, Ryan (Wood) being a New Zealander will be quick in the wet that’s for sure, but I still feel confident.

“Working on my Porsche gives me a better understanding of what goes into the car, what makes it tick and how it works. For sure, I think my understanding is probably a little better on the dynamics of the car and hopefully that helps me get the most out of it.

“It’s probably a good advantage on track and it’s cool information to know off it.”

Cameron Hill
Team Manager, CHE Racing Team

“Tom’s having another really good year,” summarised Hill.

“He’s learning so much from the start of the year and even in between the opening two rounds he was reflecting on things he could have done better. We came out at Ryan’s (Wood) home track and showed him a clean pair of heels, so that was really great to see from a distance for me.

“We’re going to a very different circuit in Sandown, it’s almost like a street track and the weather forecast could come into play.

“It’s just fantastic for Tom’s development to be exposed to so many different things this year and we’re just working hard to give him the best opportunity to develop.”