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.

On board her BERING Honda RVF400 Maria was the sixth bike away, setting off alone as Russell Mountford the rider she would have been paired with was a non-starter. Maria completed her lonely first lap in 21m 46s, just over 103.9mph from standing start, 35 seconds behind the race leader Dan Kneen. Conditions were excellent all around the course, ruling out any risk of the race being shortened any further, and Maria stuck to the strategy of pitting on lap one, this would allow her to complete one flying lap on her third and final lap.

With the re-fuelling stop completed Maria was left to concentrate on improving her lap times and her second lap including the time taken in the pit stop was completed in 22m 07s, 102.34mph and she moved up to 8^th place. Her final flying lap of the race was her fastest at 104.7mph [21m 36s] and she crossed the finish line in 6^th place, her second best finish of her career at the Manx Grand Prix.

Maria Costello comments: “I’m pleased with my finish, I’m gradually finding my form again. I had a few problems with the gearbox on the RVF but otherwise it ran well. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the marshals for turning out and making the race possible.”

Dan Kneen won the race and in the process made history by taking his third victory of the week by 25.71 seconds from Kirk Farrow and Ross Johnson. It was the first time a rider in the Manx Grand Prix has received three winners laurels in one week.

Maria was presented with her Silver Replica award by the TT’s fastest man John McGuinness.

Maria would like to say special thanks to her new sponsor Webtech Software Ltd and all her existing sponsors particularly CMS Cars & Commercials & BERING. Thanks also go to David Sutton, Scott Physio and all the people who made it possible for her to compete at this year’s Manx Grand Prix.

Maria’s next outing will be as part of the GBmoto Team, where she will partner Phill Clarke in the next round of the Junior TAG Endurance Championship at Mallory on the 14^th September.

For more information about the series go to: http://hottrax-motorsport.co.uk/

Team GBmoto website is: http://www.gbmoto.co.uk

Follow Maria’s progress: www.costelloracing.com