🚦 Driver Spotlight: Ryan Groen 🚦

Oct 8

2 min read

Meet Ryan Groen, a Wellington-based racer who's back for his third IORK campaign and has already proven he knows how to fight at the sharp end of the field. 🏁

Ryan has been racing rental karts for around six years, after he and a few mates decided it would make a good hobby. Six years later, that hobby is still going strong, and Ryan has built up plenty of experience racing tracks across the North Island.

And he's no stranger to IORK success.

In 2025, Ryan finished 5th in the 85–99.9kg category and 3rd in the 100kg & Over category, while also qualifying as the top seed for the finals in both categories. This year, he's back competing in both 85–99.9kg and 100kg & Over, with unfinished business firmly on the agenda. 👀

Ryan's a fan of Nico Rosberg and Formula One, but motorsport isn't actually his main sport. That honour goes to barefoot waterskiing, where he competes at an international level! 🌊

So what's left for Ryan to achieve at IORK? Pretty simple: win the 100s. And maybe one day take his racing onto an outdoor kart track.

With multiple IORK campaigns under his belt, podium experience, two categories to attack and a clear goal for 2026, Ryan is one of the drivers you'll want to keep an eye on when the racing gets underway. 🔥

Good luck, Ryan! Can this be the year he turns that 100kg+ podium into the top step? We're looking forward to finding out. 🏆

🏁 Want to be featured on the IORK social channels?

Share your story, racing background, and a few fun facts with us by filling out our Driver Profile Form:

https://prokarts.wufoo.com/forms/zont8cu09ro024/

We'd love to showcase the drivers who make IORK what it is 🚦