News Archive

04th September 2003
MANX GRAND PRIX - Isle of Man SENIOR RACE 29TH AUGUST 2003

Maria Costello Motorsport Ltd - Noel Clegg Motorcycles - Tony Scott Performance Tuning

Finishing in 15th place in the Senior Race at the Manx Grand Prix, with an average race speed of 111.45mph, was a sterling performance for Maria Costello, who smashed all her existing personal best lap times, race average times, and finishing positions on a Tony Scott tuned, Noel Clegg Motorcycles Honda CBR600RR.

The only female to enter the Senior class, Maria Costello, beat over 80 male competitors to collect a Silver Replica Trophy in a race where 750cc machines go head to head with 600cc motorcycles. The 26-year-old from Spratton Northamptonshire, was the 10th 600cc-bike home but early on in the race she had been in eigth place overall. An exceptional achievement for anyone when each lap is 37.73 miles long and the overall race distance is almost 151 miles on real roads closed to the public.

Maria Costello was already the outright fastest woman to compete at the Manx Grand Prix, but she has gone even faster during this year's event 113.52mph, a massive jump from her past best of 110.25mph. Her ultimate goal is to be the outright fastest female around the TT course, which she is about 10 seconds away from achieving. "It will happen at the TT next year!" Added a positive Costello.

The week didn't all go to plan. Maria faced major disappointment on Wednesday of race week, when she had to withdraw from the Junior Race due to a mechanical fault that appeared only minutes before she was due to pull up to the start line. The problem occurred out of the blue and needed more time than they had to repair it, so Maria was forced to watch from the pits. The team were of course disappointed too but made sure that the bike was in order for the Senior Race.

"We couldn't believe the problem appeared in those final moments before the race, but in a way it was fate, if it had been during the race the outcome could have been disastrous, hence us making the decision to withdraw from the race." Added Maria's bike sponsor Noel Clegg, who was also in charge of the pit stops.

The Senior race had it's own problems, when a dog was found wandering on the course, it caused an hour long delay, eventually the police caught it and the race could get under way.

"I got a terrible start, but I caught and stayed with Alex Donaldson for the entire first lap, it felt good. Then I let a few things slip and at a couple of points I hesitated too much, which gave away valuable seconds. With more races under my belt I know I can do better and even without I know I can do better, I want to be the outright fastest and I will be!" Said a determined Costello.

she finished 15th in 1.21.14.9 at an average of 111.45mph collecting a silver replica trophy.

Not having a race on the Wednesday was always going to be a slight disadvantage for Maria as she would not be as dialled into racing as her main rivals who had competed in the Junior race earlier that week. But she proved her worth with a fantastic finish and returned to the paddock to be congratulated by her team, sponsors and John McGuinness (TT winner) who had been helping Maria during practice week.

During the delay at the start Maria was so relaxed she had time to meet celebrity and Manx resident Norman Wisdom, who found Maria's bright pink steaks in her blonde hair most fitting, as they matched her Noel Clegg race bike livery. "After Wednesday's disappointment I wanted to show that I was not fazed and that I was here to enjoy myself, the girls at the Globe hairdressers added the colour, I thought it looked great, my rivals did too." Added Maria.

The Senior Race was the second race Maria has competed in all year, the first being the Production 600 race at the TT in June. Just imagine what she could do with a full season of racing under her belt?

Perhaps we will find out, as the mystery female who came to the aid of Costello with vital financial support and the loan of a van for the two week event is looking to run Maria in the British Superstock Championship next year. "I'm about to have some meetings regarding my return to short circuit racing, as you can imagine I'm over the moon, I'll be back to the Isle of Man too!" Said a smiling Costello.

"I can't express enough how thankful I am to all the people who played a part in this years Manx GP.

You made this event a special one, one that has helped me reach a new level in Road Racing:

Noel Clegg (and family Thomas & Pam) for the best bike ever! Tony Scott for tuning the engine, Whitby for top spannering, Clare & Simon, Jeff, the Steam Packet Company, the Globe, Jan & Graham, Chris & Richard @ Hein Gericke, Top Marquees, Alan at Manx Leathers, Road & Track, NGK, Dread, In2Motorcycles, Tom & Carole, Vin Ducket, Debs, Jonny Barton, Gordon Blackley, John McGuinness, Martin Finnegan, Davy Wood, The Jackson Brothers, Slick, Paul Dedman, Mum, Dad & Tina. And not forgetting my usual sponsors for their continued support and Richard Voyce for keeping my website up to date!

12th August 2003
Silent Sponsor & Steam Packet Support for Maria

A female sponsor who wants to remain anonymous has come forward after reading Maria's recent plea for support published in Bike Sport News.

The generous party responded to the article and contacted Maria, by phone, offering both financial support and the use of a Mercedes Sprinter van for the entire two-week Isle of Man event.

"I was just over the moon when I got the phone call, I really didn't know how I was going to pay for tyres and fuel until that moment. Obviously I will honour her wishes and not directly mention her in my press releases, but I do want her to know that she has been a massive help. She said that I would repay her by enjoying myself and doing well, which is great cause that's what I intend on doing." Added Costello.

It's not the first time Maria has attracted support from female business women, Andrea Martin, a racer too, gave Maria financial support at the TT and also paid for her entry in to the recently concluded Nick Sanders Moto Challenge. Where Maria completed almost 3,500 miles on a road going Honda CBR600RR provided by Honda UK. And is interested in supporting Maria next season, when she is planning her return to short circuit racing.

Maria Costello lost her main sponsor after the TT which including the bike she was due to race at the Manx, a van and financial support. But that didn't stop her determination to become the fastest ever woman to lap the TT course. And when Tony Scott found out of her misfortune he got together with Noel Clegg Motorcycles and came up with a tuned CBR600RR for her to race in both the Junior and Senior races. "I couldn't see Maria without a bike for the Manx." Added Tony Scott.

Vaughan Edwards at Donington Park recently helped out by providing some track time for Maria to put the bike through it's paces and BBC Look East came along to film the circuit action.

The Steam Packet Company has also helped out, providing Maria with a ferry crossing. "It's all been a little last minute, so I was lucky to get the van on the ferry in time for Saturday's practice session." Said a relieved Maria. "Now I hope the weather holds, cause I can't wait to ride this bike round my favourite track!"

31st July 2003
The Nick Sanders Moto Challenge - Starts 2nd August - Santa Pod, Northamptonshire - 4pm

The idea of pitting the skills of riders against each other on the road and track has been employed by classic car organisations in the past and this Moto Challenge is working along similar lines. Teams of riders will compete for six days collecting points for completing tasks and for reaching check points and destinations, all road riding will be done within the rules of the Road Traffic Act. The tasks include scatter rallies, where riders must visit as many Hein Gericke stores across the uk in one day, sprints - timed standing start 1/4 mile, Hill climbs, endurance events and circuit racing.

Maria sent an email to Nick Sanders after a friend drew her attention to the event. But when she lost her main sponsor she thought entering the Moto Challenge would not be a possibility. "Nick Sanders is so persuasive, I couldn't resist, especially when he secured support to enable me to compete. It's name is exactly what it will be for me - a new challenge, and thanks to Honda providing me with a bike, I'm all set and well up for it!" Added Costello.

Honda (UK) Motorcycles has provided a real favourite of Costello, a Honda CBR600RR, for the Moto Challenge. It's the same bike she rode at the TT and will be riding at the forthcoming Manx GP, only her Manx bike is provided by Noel Clegg and tuned by Tony Scott. "I have fallen in love with the RR, I just can't get enough of it, so I was over the moon when Matthew Stone and Greg Willis from Honda agreed to loan me a road going version for this event." Said an enthused Maria.

Maria is teaming up with Leicester Hein Gericke store manager, Chris Mayhew who has recently returned form Italy after collecting his stead for the event a Bimota DB4. Together they will form the Gericke Leicester - Punctureseal Team.

If you would like to view the full schedule, Download the pdf file here (12 pages, 160Kb)

28th July 2003
Moto Challenge Starts soon

If you would like to view the full schedule, Download the pdf file here (12 pages, 160Kb)

28th July 2003
Website bugs fixed

We've been experiencing problems with our contact pages, if you've contacted Maria via the site during the months of May to the beginning of July and have not had a reply please send another one now, as it is running smoothly once more. Regards, Webmaster Voyce.

21st July 2003
Maria Costello Motorsport Ltd is moving to new premises.

In 2 Motorcycles, Unit 5 Trafalgar Street, Kettering, Northants NN16 8DB Tel: 01536 310800.

The one-year-old bike shop has some spare offices and are providing Maria Costello with an office to use as her HQ. If you are looking for office space do contact either Ian Kelly or Steve Rippingdale on the number above.

The bike shop has been running successfully for a year now and Maria was recently invited to their first Birthday party. The partners Ian Kelly and Steve Rippingdale have both worked for other dealerships and it was at a Honda dealership in Northampton that Maria first met Steve Rippingdale. He was the man who organised the Honda Fireblade for Maria's come back to the TT in 2002.