Top ten for Costello at Armoy Race of Legends Road Races

Continuing her great form Maria Costello MBE claimed yet another tenth place finish in the Supertwins race at the Armoy Irish national  ‘Race of Legends’ meeting at the weekend. 

Maria finished in 10th place after lapping over four and half seconds faster than during her debut at Armoy last year on the same ESM/Hol-Taj backed Kawasaki ER6, which she claimed her best ever TT result on earlier this year.

Heat wave weather dissolved in to thunder and lightening and with the heavy rain causing streams of water to form across the track the organisers had no choice but to postpone the Supertwin qualifying session to the following day for safety reasons.

Qualifying would now take place on the same day as the race for Maria and despite the qualifying session being reduced from six to four laps Costello still managed to knock two seconds off last year’s lap times to place her 12th on the grid, putting her on the front row of the second wave. 

Her great start off the line put her second, in her group, in to the first chicane. Only one other rider passed her during the race and Maria crossed the line, on corrected time, in 10th place. Jamie Hamilton went on win a hard fought battle with Jeremy McWilliams who was making his debut at Armoy.

Costello commented: ‘It’s a really technical and physical track with some fantastic jumps and every lap is vital for improving knowledge and speed so I had to be happy with 12th on the grid after just four qualifying laps. The bike only needed some tiny suspension adjustments to cope with the jumps otherwise it ran perfectly. My race was all about the start and I was second behind Nigel Moore, from my wave, in to the chicane. Shaun Anderson passed me and we had a bit of a battle for a couple of laps but I was really pleased to cross the line in 10th. It’s a challenging place to race.’

‘Thanks must go to Irene at Glen Haven B&B in Ballycastle for providing me with accommodation for the second year running. I can’t recommend the place and her Ulster fry enough.’ Added Maria.

The Northamptonshire based racer will be reunited with her ‘pizza race bike’ Kawasaki ER6 Supertwin at the Ulster Grand Prix on the 17th August when she will be aiming to continue this great form at one of her favorite events. 

“Huge thanks to ESM, Hol-Taj, Dymag, Bob Jackson and all my sponsors for their continued support and to Kev Corbally, Simon Otterson & Lewis Parry for their hands on help and to all the organisers, marshals and spectators for their warm welcome and amazing support.’ concluded Maria.

For all the latest news and updates on Maria’s progress please go to www.costelloracing.com and for more information about any of Maria sponsors please go to: http://www.costelloracing.com/sponsors.html

Image courtesy of Matt Mackey.