Rianna O'Meara

Rianna O’Meara is a rising New Zealand racing driver who’s been quietly rewriting the record books since she was eight years old, and now, at 24, she’s proving that being the first female to do something isn’t just a headline—it’s a habit.

EARLY YEARS

Born August 30, 2001, in Wellington, New Zealand, Rianna O’Meara started karting around age eight, which means she was racing before most kids could master long division[2]. Wellington isn’t exactly Monaco—it’s windswept, practical, and a long way from the European racing circuits where careers are made—but O’Meara wasn’t deterred by geography. She spent 12 years in karting, racking up seat time and podiums while most of her peers were still figuring out what they wanted to be when they grew up[2]. By her late teens, she’d already decided: she was going to race cars professionally, and she was willing to move halfway across the world to do it. In 2024, she relocated to the UK, trading the familiar backdrop of Wellington for the relentless grind of European motorsport[1][3]. It’s the kind of move that separates the dreamers from the doers.

OTHER INTERESTS

O’Meara keeps her off-track life refreshingly private—no social media oversharing, no carefully curated hobby profiles. What is public is her commitment to championing inclusion and diversity in motorsport, particularly for young women who see a male-dominated sport and wonder if there’s room for them[1]. She’s vocal about inspiring the next generation to chase their dreams, which sounds like standard PR speak until you realize she’s actually living it: relocating continents, breaking records, and doing the hard, unglamorous work required to make it in racing. It’s not about being a role model in theory—it’s about showing up and proving it’s possible.

EARLY SUCCESS

O’Meara’s karting career wasn’t just about participation trophies and weekend fun—she was out there making history before she could legally drive a car on the street. In 2017, at just 16, she became the first junior female to win an Australian Rotax Pro Tour event and the South Australia State Title at Bolivar[1][2][3][5]. That same year, she became the first junior female to win a New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge round, and she swept the Wellington Champion titles in both Sprint and Enduro in the Rotax Light and Open Class[1][2][3][5]. These weren’t flukes—they were the result of a decade of grinding it out on karting circuits, learning racecraft, and refusing to be intimidated by the fact that she was often the only girl on the grid. By 2019, she’d earned a spot representing New Zealand at the ROK World Finals in Italy, a privilege she was set to repeat in 2020 until the pandemic shut everything down[1][2]. Instead of wallowing, she pivoted: in 2020, she won the WPKA Championship Round in DVS Senior, claimed the Rok Cup Series championship in the same category, and became the North Island Champion[3]. O’Meara wasn’t just winning—she was dominating.

In 2021, she made the leap to cars, joining IMS Racing for the Toyota 86 Championship in New Zealand, driving car #52[2]. The Toyota 86 series is a proving ground for young Kiwi drivers—spec racing, close competition, no room for excuses. She earned several top-five finishes and steadily improved her pace, learning the nuances of door-to-door car racing in a series known for being unforgiving[3]. It was a solid debut, the kind of performance that gets noticed by teams looking for talent that can adapt and grow.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2017: First junior female to win Australian Rotax Pro Tour event and South Australia State Title at Bolivar[1][2][3][5].
• 2017: First junior female to win a New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge round[1][2][5].
• 2017: Wellington Champion in Sprint and Enduro, Rotax Light and Open Class[3].
• 2020: WPKA Championship Round winner, DVS Senior[3].
• 2020: Rok Cup Series champion, DVS Senior[3].
• 2020: North Island Champion, DVS Senior[3].
• 2022: Won the Heart of Racing driver shootout, earning a seat in a professional GT program[1].
• 2023: Double wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Round 7 of the SRO GT4 America SprintX Championship, driving an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 V8 alongside Hannah Grisham—the first all-female team to win an Aston Martin race[1][3][4].
• 2023: Appointed the first female professional driver at Quinn-owned circuits in New Zealand[1][3].
• 2024: Selected for the Aston Martin Racing Elite Academy[1][3].
• 2024: Third place in the GT4 class at the 24 Hours of Dubai with Century Motorsport[1][3].
• 2024: GT Cup win at Snetterton with Forsetti Motorsport, driving an Aston Martin GT4, along with multiple additional podiums throughout the season[1][3].
• 2024–2025: Named athlete and ambassador for Walero racewear[3].

INSPIRATIONS

O’Meara hasn’t publicly named the racing heroes who inspired her or shared the origin story of why she fell in love with motorsport. What’s clear is that she’s surrounded herself with a strong team—she’s credited them with supporting her through the steep learning curve of GT racing[3]—and she’s been deliberate about seeking out opportunities that push her forward. Winning the Heart of Racing driver shootout in 2022 opened doors; being selected for the Aston Martin Racing Elite Academy in 2024 confirmed she’s on the right trajectory[1][3]. She’s not waiting for inspiration to strike—she’s creating her own path.

REPUTATION

O’Meara is regarded as one of New Zealand’s best young racing talents, a driver who’s consistently delivered results across multiple disciplines[2]. She’s earned a reputation for being fast, adaptable, and unflappable—qualities that were on full display during her breakthrough GT4 America season in 2023. Racing alongside Hannah Grisham at Indianapolis, O’Meara described the pressure of the moment in a 2025 interview: after finishing second in their first endurance race and qualifying third despite radio issues, she knew the stakes were high. “Not letting the team down, not letting myself down,” she said, and then they went out and won—twice[4]. It was a landmark moment, not just for the all-female duo but for Aston Martin, and it cemented O’Meara’s status as a driver who thrives under pressure. She’s also become a visible advocate for diversity and inclusion in motorsport, using her platform to champion opportunities for women and young racers who don’t fit the traditional mold[1]. The media coverage has been overwhelmingly positive, with outlets highlighting her history-making achievements and her steady climb through the ranks[1][3][4][5]. She’s not flashy, but she’s effective—and in racing, that’s what matters.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

O’Meara has her sights set on some of the biggest stages in motorsport. She’s slated to be a Racebird pilot for the E1 World Championship, the cutting-edge electric boat racing series that’s attracting top-tier talent from across the motorsport world[1]. It’s a bold move, showcasing her willingness to embrace new challenges and technologies. She’s also made no secret of her long-term ambition to race at Le Mans, and after her 2024 performances—including a podium at the 24 Hours of Dubai and consistent results in GT Cup—that goal looks increasingly achievable[3]. With the backing of the Aston Martin Racing Elite Academy and her continued development in GT4, O’Meara is positioning herself for the next level. She’s not in a rush, but she’s not wasting time either. At 24, she’s already proven she can win, adapt, and break barriers. The next chapter is going to be worth watching.

References:

51GT3 Racer Profile – Rianna O’Meara
Toyota NZ – Toyota 86 Championship Driver Profile
Rianna Racing – Official Website
Epic Racing Stories – Interview with Rianna O’Meara
The Mike Hosking Breakfast – Podcast Episode