History maker.

#driven

Rianna O’Meara-Hunt from Wellington, New Zealand is 22 and  has recently relocated to the UK to help achieve her long term racing goals. She is furiously competitive on track, but a quiet humble achiever off of it.

Rianna’s aspirations are about more than just cars and race tracks… they of course include continuing to create history, but by doing so, Rianna hopes to motivate and create change and to inspire young people in all walks of life to sit up and take notice, and to believe that with hard work, self belief and determination, they too can achieve.

Inspiration, positive social change and the breaking down of barriers: all of these things can be fulfilled through the writing of Rianna’s story and realisation of her dreams.

Kissing the Bricks.

#driven

What a dream it was to win a worldwide driver shoot-out and be selected to drive for the Heart of Racing Team for the 2023 SRO GT4 Championship season in their Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

In only her second year of racing cars and inaugural season of GT4 racing, 2023 was a year of firsts for Rianna. A new country, a new series, a new car and new tracks there was certainly a lot to get her head around at each event.  Track learning was completed during the limited event practice sessions with no pre-event testing available, and then direct into qualifying.

With hard work between rounds and with the experience of a great team around her the season progressed well, delivering several top five race finishes and culminating in front row qualifying at Round 6 at Sebring and then the epic Round 7 double wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Aston Martin highlighted this history making event, as being their first ever all female driver team win in the Vantage.

2024 and beyond.

#Road to Le Mans

With a track record of history making events behind her, and proven processes in place to help facilitate them, it is time once again to embark on a new dream, building on existing foundations and relationships to help secure the next piece of history for women and motorsport in New Zealand.

It’s rarely by chance that history makers change the perception of what’s achievable, or become pioneers for change.  Qualities such as ingenuity, integrity, imagination, bravery, persistence, endeavour and insight are often behind their successes. These are all qualities Rianna applies to her life and her racing on a daily basis.

SO WHAT’S THE NEXT PIECE OF HISTORY IN HER SIGHTS?

During 2023 Rianna attended the 100th running of the Le Mans 24 hour race.  What a privilege it was to be a part of a racing team obtaining full behind the scenes access to all aspects of the event.  With some post event research it became apparent that no kiwi female driver had ever competed at this iconic race…  That’s over 100 years of history that needs to change.  Now there’s a challenge!

To facilitate the goal Rianna is already working hard developing a planned and strategic European pathway.  The team that supported her to reach the ‘2023 driver shoot-out’ are all still firmly in her corner which is great news.

With the end goal in mind in late 2023, early 2024 Rianna left for Europe for 8 weeks to research, plan, prep, network and of course race.  While over there Rianna secured a GT4 drive at Portimao in a BMW M4 securing 2 podiums in 2 events and also successfully competed her first 24h Dubai with Century Motorsport, one of the most successful teams in the paddock.  What an incredible experience it was and from the feedback around her performance further confirmation that the Le Mans goal is more than achievable.

With a short trip back to New Zealand to check-in with her support team she now plans to re-locate to the UK, establish herself in the European scene, chase down race and testing opportunities, continue networking with people and teams already met, generate new contacts and look to find work opportunities inside the industry.  

Characters.

#driven

Motorsport is very much a team sport. Partnering together with like minded, progressive organisations and inspirational mentors, has served Rianna well over the years and is something she is always looking to grow. Rianna firmly believes that these partnerships provide a greater opportunity to achieve something special for all parties.

THE DREAM TEAM TO DATE

Tony Quinn Foundation – Ambassador

Rianna is very proud to be a recipient and ambassador for the Tony Quinn Foundation. She is excited about the platform such a successful and well organised team provide, allowing her to grow her own racing pedigree while assisting other young kiwi motorsport drivers get closer to their goals.

Ethan Smith and Erin Jackson – Golden Homes in the Southern Lakes

Ethan and Erin, provided funding for the initial shoot-out preparation allowing Rianna both seat and race time pre-test, and are continuing to support her growth both personally and professionally through 2024 and beyond. They also supported her financially to secure her recent 24h Dubai race seat.  An awesome husband and wife led team with so many skills between them – lovely people and inspirational mentors.

Heremana Malmezac and Francois Beziac  – Aedifice Property Group and FHK Racing

Heremana and Francois put a deal together in 2023 that allowed Rianna to race their GT4 Porsche Cayman with Prime Speed Sport, just days prior to leaving for her first SRO GT4 race at Sonoma in the USA. There was no better prep and she was so appreciative. They continued to work together through 2023 completing some successful testing in the teams Porsche GT3 Cup MR car and are in discussions regarding driving with the team in some European endurance events through 2024.  They also supported Rianna financially to secure her recent 24h Dubai race seat.  Such an exciting partnership!

Shane Helms – RaceLab, Team Principal

RaceLab assisted Rianna with testing in their Aston Martin GT4 prior to the 2023 shootout and also professionally through her USA season. They continue to help her grow and are providing partnership opportunities moving forward.

Deb and Martin Day – Dayle ITM

Deb and Martin from Dayle ITM are already massive sponsors of so many and have also been a major contributor to Rianna’s motorsport journey. She feels privileged to be on their team and excited to see what opportunities  they can generate for each other in 2024 and beyond.

Rob Wilson – World renowned Driver Trainer

Rob needs no introduction, his skills and client base are elite!  Rianna has enjoyed multiple trips to the UK to work one-on-one with Rob and will continue to do so into the future.

Anthony Klarica – Elite Performance

Anthony is a well respected sports psychologist and performance coach. He has worked with Australian teams internationally and at the Olympic games, with national sporting bodies, AFL clubs, tennis Australia, motorsport drivers and teams, rugby teams and with a wide variety of other sports and individual athletes. He has also worked through this exact scenario previously with other athletes.

Greg Rust

Greg’s passion and commitment to all things motorsport is unrivalled in the media game.  Greg is working with Rianna to fine tune and hone her natural abilities in this area to ensure she has all the skills required to maximise not only her own brand but yours also.

Greg Murphy/ Tom Alexander  – Driver Trainers

Greg Murphy and Tom Alexander have both spent time with Rianna driver coaching and continue to offer advice and expertise.

Tim White – Race Engineer and Advisor

Rianna certainly would not have made it through her initial car season or felt so well prepared for the shootout without the efforts of her first engineer Tim White.  Tim put in extensive additional hours behind the scenes, sourcing new opportunities for learnings, teaching Rianna about data and car set-up and importantly keeping the faith and fire alive when times were tough. Massive gratitude Tim!

Highlands _ Experience the Exceptional

When not racing or working in Australia Rianna is employed by Highlands (part of the Tony Quinn Group) as their first ever female driver pro, entrusted with many aspirational vehicle brands and let loose on the track taking clients for rides and or driver training.

Hampton Downs Driver Academy

Working with Dan Gaunt and his team at the academy Rianna assists with training and development of new talent. An extremely rewarding opportunity beneficial for both parties – she loves it.

Paul Morris – Norwell MotorPlex, Australia

When not in Europe, the US or back home working at Highlands Rianna is thrilled to be able to work with Paul and his talented team at this world class facility training and assisting young talent. 

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Additional characters

The greater the number of characters the greater potential this story has…

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PERSONAL SPONSORS

This story is not possible without the support and backing of some key characters who all play important roles – thank you.