Maria Costello M.B.E made her debut at the Cookstown 100 this weekend, the opening round of the Irish Road Race season, on the CMS Honda RVF400. Costello will be competing at a selection of Irish Road Races throughout the season alongside her team mate Davy Morgan as part of the 2010 CSC Team.

Maria arrived at the Orritor Circuit, County Tyrone on Thursday evening with just enough daylight to complete some laps on a scooter and a couple in a car with a fellow racer.

Friday: Once the lap on the newcomers bus was completed practice commenced on Friday afternoon in dry and sunny conditions. Her first five laps were done in controlled conditions in the ‘newcomers un-timed’ session. A further two timed sessions followed and Maria found another two seconds faster in the later session. However Maria’s overall performance had been hindered by the bike over heating and losing power at the end of each session. Despite this problem she had still achieved her goal of qualifying in the ‘A Race’ which she realised with a lap time of 1 min 41.5 seconds. Read More

The Northamptonshire racer, along with all those competing at the 2008 Manx Grand Prix, had endured a difficult fortnight plagued by bad weather causing what seemed like never-ending delays and cancelled practice sessions. Costello finally got to race a round the TT course, all be it over a reduced distance of three laps [113.19 miles], when the Ultra-lightweight race got underway at 4.00pm on Saturday the 30^th August, more than a day later than originally scheduled.

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THE opening round of the Triumph Triple Challenge was just that for bike racer Maria Costello.

The female TT lap record holder endured a tough debut weekend at Donington Park riding her Philip Youles-backed machine.
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Triumph Triple Challenge – Round One – Donington Park – 22/23 March 2008.

Following a successful test in Spain I was really looking forward to racing the Triumph at Donington, a favourite of mine, at the opening round of the Triumph Triple Challenge.
On the very first lap of qualifying the brakes failed going in to Redgate corner. This was a very scary experience I hope I never encounter again. I ended up in the kitty litter but only sustained a cut thumb. The bike however needed some work so we took the bike back to a friend’s garage, as it was freezing at the circuit. The next morning we woke to find deep snow covering the ground, thankfully this was not the case at the circuit and the races continued, albeit in very cold and damp conditions.
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The first round of the Triumph Triple Challenge kicks off at Donington Park on the 22/23 March.

Maria Costello will be competing on her Philip Youles Triumph Daytona 675 for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to next weekends racing, I feel as keen about my racing as when I started , many years ago! My passion has been renewed by this new bike and I’m ready for the season opener.” Smiled Costello.
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The petite blonde from Northamptonshire has recently returned from Spain, where she had a successful first outing on her newly acquired Philip Youles Triumph Daytona 675.

The TT’s fastest woman was at the Spanish Mountain circuit, Guadix, for three days testing her Triumph for the first time. Not only was it her first outing on the 675 but also on Michelin tyres and the first time she’d ridden since the Manx Grand Prix back in September 2007.

“Guadix is the perfect circuit to blow away the cobwebs after a period off the bike. This circuit is very technical and offers every type of corner so it really keeps you on your toes. It was perfect for my introduction to my new 2008 race bike.” Added Costello.

The test was very productive and thanks to help from other racers who were attending the www.racedays.net event, including former MotoGP racer Jeremy

McWilliams, Maria was able to make progress with setting up the Triumphs suspension and generally getting to grips with the triples power delivery and handling.

“I’m loving the way the Triumph feels, both power wise and handling. The Michelin tyres felt good and so did the Promach rear sets I had specially made to fit my small feet. The GPR steering damper was also a great asset, the fact that you can adjust it while riding was so beneficial. I have to admit that I decided on this bike without ever having ridden one before, but I definitely made the right decision. I love it!” Smiled Costello.

Maria will be competing on this bike in the Triumph Triple Challenge, a prestigious one make series exclusively for Triumph Daytona 675’s.

The nature of the series is to encourage the rider’s skills to shine as all the bikes will have to adhere to strictly enforced rules and therefore will be evenly matched. This will mean incredibly close and exciting racing.

She will also be racing both her Triumph and her BERING Honda RVF400 at the North West 200, Manx Grand Prix and Scarborough road races, to name just a few.

The 2008 Triumph Triple Challenge Race Calendar:
1) 22-23 March – D

onington Park
2) 26-27 April – Cadwell Park
3) 10-11 May – Brands Hatch (GP Circuit)
4) 24-25 May – Silverstone
5) 28-29 June – Cadwell Park
6) 19-20 July – Brands Hatch (Indy Circuit)
7) 15-16 August – Oulton Park
8 ) 13-14 September – Snetterton
9) 27-28 September – Brands Hatch (Indy Circuit)
To find out more about the series go to: www.triumphtriplechallenge.co.uk

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