By Maria Costello
November 8 2004

Just seven men beat the new female TT lap record holder, Maria Costello, a freelance journalist and now TV presenter from Northampton, in the Senior Race of the Manx Grand Prix. She took her best finish yet, an eighth place and silver replica award.

“Someone gave me a pitboard at Ballacraine (thank you!) saying ‘8’ on my final lap. Then I noticed people waving programmes in the crowd, and when I came up the return road after the chequered flag everyone was clapping. How happy was I,” beamed Maria.

The Manx Motorcycle Club also awarded Maria with the Lesley Anne trophy for the female making the most meritorious performance of the two-week event. Unfortunately, Maria was unable to bring it home - for her Mum to put on her mantelpiece - because it is currently being refurbished. This is the second time Maria has won this trophy, first winning it in 2002 when she became the fastest woman at the MGP.

Maria Costello at the Manx Grand Prix
photo © www.edpphoto.com · nigel 'at' edpphoto.com

As the front three runners smashed the outright lap record, Maria was just short of improving on her record breaking lap of 114.73mph, at this year’s TT, as she was forced to slow to walking pace in the Glen Helen section by accidents “There were crashes on lap one, and so waved yellow flags remained on some sections of the course for the entire race.”

The high winds were also playing a part in Maria’s race and, although being the same for all competitors, Maria was racing with a broken collarbone, a non-union that her surgeon assured her would not be worsened by racing - it would just be painful. “Thankfully adrenaline is the best painkiller,” added Costello, “but I did struggle with the high winds as it is very physical racing the TT course, and even when the wind isn’t trying to pull you off the bike, I have to work hard around here.”

Maria was using the same Padgett’s Suzuki GSX-R750 K2 she secured the fastest female outright lap record on at the TT.

Race result:
1 · 7 Davy Morgan, 750cc Suzuki, 1h16:18.1
2 · 3 Ian Pattinson, 748cc Kawasaki, 1h16:20.9
3 · 4 Alan Jackson, 750cc Kawasaki, 1h16:31.0
4 · 9 Dean Silvester, 600cc Yamaha, 1h17:56.7
5 · 10 Kenneth McCrea, 600cc Yamaha, 1h19:24.3
6 · 6 John Burrows, 750cc Suzuki, 1h19:43.8
7 · 21 Ken Doherty, 750cc Suzuki, 1h20:03.4
8 · 18 Maria Costello, 600cc Honda, 1h20:37.5
all awarded Silver replicas

For the week’s earlier race, the Junior, Maria rode the same Island Motorcycles Honda CBR600RR that she had used in the TT Production 600 race - only this time it was sporting a new and very sexy Scorpion end can, supplied by www.diamondmotorsport.co.uk. She finished in 14th (and Silver Replica award) after a hard fought battle with her starting partner number 17, Rob Sells. “Usually you spend a majority of the race on your own just racing the circuit but, this was probably the best race I’ve ever had around the TT course, as we were changing places for the entire 150 miles of the four lap race. I got a false neutral at Governors Bridge, and Rob pipped me on the line,” said a smiling Costello.

Since her return home from the Isle of Man, Maria has been getting only the finest cuts of meat - no, it’s due to the Atkins diet - she’s picked up some new local support from SAUL’S the BUTCHERS Ltd in her home village of Spratton. “We’ve known Maria since she was old enough to come in the shop with her Mum as a tiny tot. To think that she has achieved this is just fantastic and we wanted to help her out, both this year and the next, as we reckon she’ll be on that podium,” said company manager and butcher Chris Saul.

Maria’s in good company, as her home village and butchers is frequented by some other top sportsmen - Ben Cohen (English rugby player) and Devon Malcolm (with whom she shares a physio), one of the countries top cricketers; and Matt Dawson (English rugby player) also lived here for a while.

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Maria would like to thank all of her sponsors: Agip Oil, WP Suspension, Goodridge UK, EBC Brakes, Metzeler, NGK Spark Plugs, Abbastands, Scott Leathers, Dread Clothing, www.leonlife.com, Daytona Boots, Bering, The Image Works, Custard Creative, David Sutton Personal Trainer, Christophe Becquereau - Osteopath, Fitness First Health Clubs, ONFIRE & Supabikes Cycle Shop.

With special thanks to: Island Motorcycles Ltd, Lancaster BMW - for the 330i soft top for the two weeks, Scorpion Exhausts, Charlie at the Salon, The IoM Hyperbaric Chamber, Andy Grimshaw, Dean Martin, The Holdaway’s, Tom Caffrey and all the people who made this MGP possible.