The group operating the three Tony Quinn-owned motor racing circuits in New Zealand has appointed the first female pro driver to its line-up of hot lap drivers and driving instructors.

Multiple kart racing championship winner and recently turned GT4 race car driver Rianna O'Meara-Hunt will spend time professionally driving at Highlands Motorsport when not racing in the United States.

Her appointment comes after an exciting 12 months during which the 21-year-old switched from competitive karting to car racing after she won the 'Heart of Racing' driver academy. 

 "The move to cars was a pretty quick turnaround, and it was a bit harder than I thought at first," Rianna sai

"But by the end of last year, I got on top of it.” 

That led her to America for an international shoot-out competition for a seat in an all-female race team to contest the 2023 SRO GT4 championship.

Rianna will make her pro drive debut for the team at Highlands, where she’ll get behind the wheel of the Ferrari hot lap car, the Highlands Taxi, and offer instruction from the passenger seat in the U Drive Ford Mustang muscle car or the Radical sports car.

Between tripping to America to race in the SRO GT4 championship, Rianna sees the track time she gets as a pro driver as an advantage for her racing.

"Still being in a car when I'm not actually able to race is important. It kind of lets you hone in on your driving skills while you're doing these hot laps; even though it's at a slower pace, it still means you have to get the key points right."

Highlands CEO Josie Spillane says Rianna’s appointment comes at a milestone time. 

"We are delighted to be welcoming Rianna to the group. She's incredibly talented, a hard worker and really passionate with the special x-factor we are always looking for in our team," Josie said.

Rianna will head to NOLA Motorsports Park in Arizona in a fortnight for the second round of the SRO GT4 championship.