Road Racing Archives – Horsepower & Heels

Shea Holbrook is ready for Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

May 17, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Six-time event winner and Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car class competitor Shea Holbrook is ready for Canadian Tire Motorsports Park this weekend. Her Shea Racing team will compete in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Pirelli World Challenge Championships May 19-22 at the Durham, ON race facility.

The Shea Racing team has seen both success and defeat at the high-speed 10-turn road course. Both Shea Holbrook and teammate Jason Fichter have made podium appearances previously at the daunting track, and hope for repeat performances in the Touring Car class this weekend.

Cool Jobs in Sports – espnW feature

Holbrook was recently honored with a special feature in espnW Magazine’s “Cool Jobs in Sports” spotlight. Shea shared her career path in motorsports, including her start as a competitive water skier, and how a NASCAR ride-along changed her direction.

She also shared her experiences as a cross-over driver into the IHRA Drag Racing scene, and what driving a jet-powered dragster to her first win was like.

In addition to her responsibilities as Shea Racing team owner and driver, the University of Central Florida graduate also is an instructor for the SCCA Track Night in America program. The program is an easy and inexpensive way for nearly anyone who loves cars or motorsports to get on a racecourse in their own vehicle on a weeknight. As Track Night coordinator, Holbrook provides driving advice to participants, coaching them to improve their skill and performances.

Amy Ruman wins historic TA championship

January 11, 2016 // by Taylor Hyatt

Professional road racer, Amy Ruman, added her name to the history books as the first female Trans Am champion in the history of the sport. Her win at Daytona International Speedway, in the final race of the 11-event season, comes as her eighth in 2015 and the 13^th since her Trans Am career began in 2005.

Amy Ruman Clinches TA Championship

Amy’s TA class Chevrolet Corvette sat in second place on the grid, but all she needed was a green flag on the race and she would have officially clinched the championship. That didn’t stop her though, after running in the top five with multiple lead changes throughout the majority of the 75 minute race, and managing the traffic from the back of the pack, Amy passed former (2014) champ, Doug Peterson, and took the lead with only six laps to go. Taking it easy was definitely not in her plans!

“Traffic is always an issue and can be a factor in our races. So I just tried to maintain composure and just run consistent lap times, and that got us the win. The car was set up strong” said Ruman.

Historic Firsts for Amy Ruman

That Saturday in her No. 23, McNichols’ sponsored Trans Am car Amy set not one, but two records. She became the first female to claim a Trans Am championship with 345 points to Paul Fix’s 311 and she also became the first female, solo-driver, to have an overall victory at Daytona International Speedway. This came just months after Ashley Freiburg’s co-driving skills won her the IMSA race at Daytona placing her name as a first. Although, Ruman isn’t new to the history books – in 2011 she became the first woman to win a Championship finale race in Trans Am.

Amy has certainly worked her way into up the ranks with the help of her father, Bob Ruman, who is a 20 year veteran within the sport and series and also received support from the family run business, McNichols’ Company.

“I think finally it all just gelled and came together. We have a really well-prepared car. We switched to PME motors; they’ve been strong for us all year and that was a great move. My dad has dialed in the setup on the car; we’ve had it for three or four years now. I think finally all the pieces of the puzzle came together, and we had a rally good year. I drove smart and we were there at the end when we needed to be. We had some absolutely dominant wins and some where we had to come from the back a few times. There was a little bit of everything, but it was just a fantastic year for us.”

Amy was able to make a sometimes difficult and trying season into a great win for the team. I can assure you that this won’t be the last we see from Amy Ruman or her team!

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