The driver.
18-year-old American driver from an elite-athlete background, currently P1 in the 2026 SMK Race Series championship and aimed at international endurance racing.
- Name
- Ian Wells
- Nickname
- "Wheels"
- Born
- 2007
- Age
- 18
- Discipline
- Karting → Endurance
- Aviation
- PPL · final stage
- Coach
- Zach Woodsford
- Goal
- FIA WEC
Ian Wells is an 18-year-old American driver building toward a professional career in international endurance racing.
His foundation as an athlete was built in archery, where he tied for #5 nationally in the U21 division of the 2025 USA Archery USAT season — a level of competition that requires the same composure, focus, and millisecond-decision-making that defines elite motorsport. That foundation includes formal mental-performance training — 1:1 work with certified Lanny Bassham Mental Management coach Mel Nichols, plus the full Mental Management System materials. It's the operating system he brought from the bow to the kart.
Outside the kart, Ian is in the final stage of his Private Pilot License — soloed, studying for the written exam, and on track to finish his checkride within weeks of passing. Three disciplines built on the same operating system: spatial awareness, calm under load, and decisions made at speed.
In January 2026, Ian made a deliberate pivot from archery to karting, and the trajectory has been rapid. Coached by Zach Woodsford and supported by a full team of wellness and performance coaches, he is currently leading the 2026 Spring Mountain Karting (SMK) Race Series championship — P1 after 4 of 8 rounds — and moving up the regional ranks at pace.
His goal is clear: a seat in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He is building toward a 2027 WEC program entry — currently leading SMK, with car testing planned as the next step on the ladder, and open to discussions with teams and management.
"Shooting arrows. Shooting corners. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast — centimeters off the ground or 50 meters downrange, it doesn't change."
Drives like he means it.
When contact takes him off the racing line, he doesn't manage the result — he fights back to the front with purpose. Spectators notice. Parents in the stands stop scrolling. Ask him why, and you'll get one answer:
"I'm the best."
Road to 2027
Finishing the 2026 SMK championship from P1, then stepping into car testing as the bridge into the FIA WEC ladder. Open to discussions with teams, programs, management, and sponsors.
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