Northamptonshire motorcycle racer Maria Costello overcame difficult conditions to compete at the Cock o the North Road Races for the first time. Despite a mechanical problem forcing her to retire while in 7th place, her best position of the weekend, the diminutive blonde was content with the confidence boost the weekend had given her. After a disappointing qualifying session, Maria lined up on row five of the grid onboard her Bering and Black Horse sponsored RVF400 for its maiden race. A good start for Costello saw her make up places on the first tight and chaotic hairpin but she couldn’t make up a further 2 places to get a finish in the top ten.
Race two took place on Sunday but Maria’s qualifying position from Saturday would still stand despite her being fourth quickest in morning practice.
With weather warnings threatening it was inevitable that Maria would compete in the wet but the down pour that ensued as the 400’s assembled on the grid was so heavy that the riders were sent back to the paddock and a long delay followed. Eventually the organisers were able to pump thousands of litres of standing water off the track and riders were called to the grid for a shortened race of 6 laps.
The puddles did nothing to deter Costello who put her pep talk with Mark Buckley in to practice. From the back row of the grid she got yet another great start and past a handful of riders into Mere hair pin. She took another rider in to Memorial and was chasing down another on the penultimate lap when the bike was slowed by a mechanical problem.
‘The bike started to splutter as if running out of fuel as I entered Memorial Corner, it did it again as I exited and finally gave up the ghost as I left Drury’s hairpin on my way down the hill.’ Said Maria Costello.
The fitment of a new fuel cap had caused the tank to pressurise and therefore starve the engine of fuel, an easily solved problem but one that would steal a 7th or possible 6th away from Costello. She coasted to Mountside Hairpin where she received applause form the small crowd of spectators.
‘Even the marshals were disappointed for me, they were very complementary on my riding and how I’d been doing up until then, so I didn’t get down hearted, I knew I’d ridden well up until that point. This meetings given me the confidence boost I needed.’ Added Costello.
Maria would like to extend her gratitude to the Auto 66 Club for making her so welcome and to her sponsor Lintek & EK Chains and personal sponsor CMS Car and Commercials of Blackburn. Maria’s next outing will be on the Isle of Man at the Southern 100 that starts on the 9th July, where she will compete on both her Honda RVF400 and CBR600RR.
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