Maria Costello Archives – Horsepower & Heels

Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays

September 29, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays staged another highly successful workshop event at the East Midlands circuit, just two days after the stars of British Superbikes had battled it out on the twists and turns of Donington Park.

The BMW Motorrad UK trackday, presented by Focused Events, Maria offered guidance, support and one-to-one tuition to Maria Costello Women’s Trackday participants, who made the most of fantastic track conditions to improve their riding skills.

With over fifty women in attendance, the day was another big success, proving that these dates are becoming a firm favorite on the motorcycling calendar for many female riders.

“I’m thrilled by the progress all the women made,” Costello said. “Everyone improved their riding skills and took something away with them, whether it was going home a better rider or simply riding more confidently than before. These days have become a true highlight of my year. I really want to make more happen in 2017 because it’s proving to be an important and great way for women to enjoy motorcycling and remain a biker for longer.”

Participant Carmel Kammeier said: “I am not generally into idolizing, but I saw Maria ride at the Classic TT a few weeks ago and on the podium with John McGuinness. Next thing I know, here she is, in the flesh, encouraging and coaching me and many other women. I am back in the office today, but dreaming of my next track day with Maria Costello MBE.”

Sue Ward said she had “an awesome day and learned loads.” She added, “I am still buzzing. Had loads of support from my garage buddies who helped with calming nerves, tire pressures and technique. Most of all huge thanks to Maria Costello, you are so kind as you take so much time for every individual person.”

Costello added: “I need to thank BMW Motorrad UK and Focused Events for making the day possible, along with NGK Spark Plugs (UK), CPL Print Ltd, Arai helmets, EBC Brakes and Towergate insurance for their support of the event. Special thanks to my instructors Rupert & Virgil and finally, a huge thank you to the all the women that played their part in making it a memorable and rewarding day!”

More Information on Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays

To join the Facebook group Woman On A Motorcycle (WOAM) go here.

Dates for future Maria Costello Women’s Trackdays will be announced on Maria’s website, which can be found here.

Maria Costello: Queen of the Bikers

November 20, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Maria Costello: Queen of the Bikers

Author: Maria Costello, with Steve Pitts

Genre: Autobiography, Sports – Motorsports

Publication Date: January 8, 2014

Length: 171 pages

Synopsis

The autobiography of British motorcycle road racer, Maria Costello MBE, takes you through the journey of a petite blonde into the male dominated world of racing. Maria walks through her life story from awkward teen to record breaking racer, recounting the struggles, the gory injuries, and the difficult relationships endured along the way to Isle of Mann fame and Guinness Book of World record titles. Each chapter details the pains in being knocked down and having to rebuild herself back up, not only from the physical injuries, but from the mental ones as well. Her decade-long career has seen the loss of racing mentors and near-death experiences of her own. But the successes and the accomplishments outweigh the hardships for Costello, as she persevered on to become one of Europe’s top Motorcycle racers, earning countless trophies and the honor of being named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

My Thoughts on “Maria Costello: Queen of the Bikers”

Maria tells a very honest and candid account of her life story, detailing the passion and interest that she possessed for motorbikes from a young age, of having to first overcome the objections of her parents and family before moving onto the constant objections of the male-dominated motorsports world. The story was filled with funny accounts from her early years, the often painful recollections of her many crashes and injuries, and some of the more personal details of her private life and the difficult chore of balancing them with her racing dreams.

I really appreciated not only her racing history retold, the struggles, and the inner workings of race sponsorship and paddock culture, but also her mindset and resolve required entering the motorsports world and its effects on her personal relationships. I think it is a story that women in motorsports of all forms can relate to in one fashion or another, and one that isn’t often discussed publicly.

<br /> At times, the book detailed far too many switches between classes and motorcycle models that the average reader may find themselves lost in, or not fully be able to appreciate the importance or differences between the models and their respective power, engine displacement and relative size. It also was a bit out-of-sync on the chronological order of events at times, jumping forward and back in events, but only mildly scattered and not difficult to follow.

Overall, I really appreciated reading about Maria’s obvious passion and dedication to her sport, and found the book very easy and engaging to read. I found the book very relate-able for Women in Racing and the motorsports world, and could identify with many of the insecurities and the passionate drives that she discussed in her journey. I think “Maria Costello: Queen of the Bikers” is a wonderful read for fans and racers alike, and that her story goes beyond that of a sports autobiography or a motorsports fare, extending as a tale of a woman’s lone defiant struggle to succeed in a hostile and dangerous male world.

Maria Costello fastest woman at Ulser Grand Prix

August 11, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Northamptonshire motorcycle racer Maria Costello made a return to a BMW Motorrad UK S 1000 RR for the first time since the Northwest 200, after a several month hiatus attributed to funding left her sidelined. Despite the lack of testing, she was able to register a fantastic 116.790 mph performance and a new female lap record at the 7.4 mile Dundrod circuit, making her the fastest woman ever on the course.

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, Costello and team used the previous year’s data to dial the bike in for an 18th place qualifying position in the Supertwin race.

Maria Costello at Ulser Grand Prix — Photo: David Maginnis

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 finished the course in an admirable 21st place.

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.”

Costello, who is a champion of women in racing and regularly hosts all-women track sessions, added that she was happy to see the turnout at the race for female riders.

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.”

Female rider Maria Costello — Photo: Matt Mackey

Costello’s next event is a little more laid back when she will be leading a ride out from Wollaston BMW in Northampton this Sunday, 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 the fastest woman Maria Costello and what she’ll be doing next, please visit her website: http://www.costelloracing.com