Difficult weekend for Costello and Hauxwell at Brands Hatch

The all-female sidecar team of Maria Costello and Kirsty Hauxwell had a demanding weekend at Kent’s Brands Hatch GP circuit during Round 6 of the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship last weekend, 21st to 23d July.

The duo brought their JG Speedfit / Cool Milk LCR combination to Kent on a high, having used a free weekend in the series to find some track-time, record their best ever finish and earn some silverware at the Ace of Aintree event.

“It was all going so well,” said sidecar and solo racer Maria. “The Brands GP circuit is an incredible track on a sidecar. We were improving our laps times each session but track-time is limited at BSB events.
“We were knocking chunks off our lap times and we came in to the pits for some set-up adjustments, hoping to improve again in the final minutes of qualifying.

“Then we were hit by another sidecar. It impacted on my side, hitting my right foot and the gear lever. Kirsty was fine but my ankle was, along with the gear lever, bent in to the back wheel, so we were forced to retire and lost those vital laps.

“By the time we returned back to the team awning my ankle was working again and we were able to bend the gear lever back into position and sort the bodywork.
“We were then given the chance to complete Sunday morning warm-up with the aim of reducing our lap times. But heavy rain the night before left the back part of the track wet. Making our aim impossible, so we didn’t make the grid and missed out on useful track-time.”
Well-known to motorsport aficionados for her many achievements on and off the track, Maria is finding her feet in her debut season in sidecars.

“It’s been hard but we’re finding the positives. We know there’s lots more in the bag. Whenever we go out, we’re having to learn the circuit and how best to get a sidecar around it in a highly competitive field.
“We’re working better each time we ride together and bike set-up has improved and we’re getting to grips with the Avon tyres. It’s such a steep learning curve but we are climbing it.”
Maria is adding yet another wheel this weekend as she makes her car race debut at the Silverstone Classic this Saturday driving an Austin A35 in the Celebrity Challenge as part of the World Grand Prix Bike Legends Team, alongside Wayne Gardner, Freddie Spencer, Steve Soper & Steve Parrish.
Maria and Kirsty are back together on the JG Speedfit/Cool Milk sidecar for Round 7 of the series at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit from 4th to 6th August.

Report and images courtesy of Maria Costello motorsport.