COSTELLO FASTEST WOMAN AT WORLD'S FASTEST ROAD RACE
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01/01/1970
Maria Costello MBE tightened her grip on her standing as the ‘fastest woman at the world’s fastest road race’ by increasing the female lap record at the Ulster Grand Prix.
The Northamptonshire racer, back on the BMW Motorrad UK S 1000 RR for the first time since the Northwest 200, shrugged off her lack of testing in recent months, due to a lack of funding, to register a fantastic 116.790mph and a new female lap record, at the 7.4 mile Dundrod circuit.
“I was fortunate to have an experienced team around me for this event and with the additional support from BMW Motorrad’s technicians, I had a great set up on the BMW. Which is always a good thing when you're about to ride a missile around the world’s fastest road race! It was me that would need to find some speed, come race day.
With only one dry session on the Twin we used last year’s data to get it dialled in to achieve an 18th place qualifying position for the Supertwin race.”
Race start began in bright sunshine and Costello took to the grid on her ESM/Wollaston BMW backed BMW Motorrad UK S 1000 RR for the first event of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Superstock race. The BMW performed faultlessly and Costello enjoyed a lengthy battle with Andrew Sellars and Hubert Kalthuber. It was on her third lap that she set a new female lap record and she took the chequered flag in 38th place in her debut litre bike race around Dundrod.
The Supertwin race was called to the grid as rain started to fall and the race got underway on a wet track. Costello brought her supertwin across the line in an admirable 21st place.
Costello said: “I’d not long arrived when I had upsetting news from home. I couldn’t change anything by going home but it put me in two minds about staying to race. Thanks to my team and friends in the paddock, and the blessing I received from my family, I decided I would compete. So the new lap record means more to me due to the circumstances & I feel so fortunate, firstly to have this opportunity on the BMW, but also to have such amazing support around me.”
“I’ve a lot of people to thank for this opportunity including BMW Motorrad UK, BMW Motorrad, Wollaston Bikes, Metzeler tyres, all my sponsors and supporters.
Special thanks go to the following people for making it happen; Kev Corbally, Gary Tingley, Stephen Ferguson, Michael Swann, Scott Swann, Kurt, Christine Arthur, Karen, Jon Mcclean – Motorcycle Valet, Chris Mooney, Moto Shox, Liz Watson, Grant Bunting, Jennie & Paul, Christine & Kim.
“Congratulations to all the women who competed at the Ulster, it great that we’re making a small dent in to the male dominated world of real road racing. Well done to Noel and his team for running a great event. I want to wish all those injured a speedy recovery and I was deeply saddened by the news that a young man lost his life in the supersport race. Another dark cloud hangs over the sport and I send my sincere condolences to his family and friends.” Concluded Maria.
Costello's next event is a little more laid back when she will be leading a ride out from Wollaston BMW in Northampton on Sunday 16th August, to support the world record attempt at the Ace Cafe in London, to get the most women bikers in one place. Women who want to join the ride can meet at the dealership from 9.30am. Free bacon butties are being laid on and the ride will commence at 10am.
Maria then heads to the Isle of Man to participate in the Classic TT. To find out more about Maria and what she’ll be doing next, please visit her website:http://www.costelloracing.com
2015 Sponsors:
The European Shoe Machinery Company Ltd, Hol-Taj, BMW Motorrad UK, BMW Motorrad, Wollaston BMW, Rock Oil, Arai, Metzeler, NGK spark plugs, Wilbers/Vmtek Suspension, Jap4Performance, Radicool, EBC Brakes, SignstoWraps, Kawasaki UK Ltd, GBRacing, Hideout Leathers, Premier Bodyworks, Knox, HEL, Racebikebitz/Samco hoses, Daytona boots, Pipercross, APC Wet Paint Ltd, CPL Print, Christian Baker, Trilogy Gyms, Jack Fleckney – CrossFit East Northants, DnG, Sparkes Management Support, Bespoke Injury Management, Progrips, Promach, Skidmarx, The Joseph’s Experience, www.tonicwebworks.com, CHI Fire Solutions Ltd, Stomp Grip & SKINS.
Image by David Maginnis.
