MARIA COSTELLO TRACKDAYS BOOST WOMEN RIDERS CONFIDENCE

By Omni Reynolds

Just two days after the stars of British Superbikes had battled it out on the twists and turns of Donington Park, Maria Costello MBE and her team of instructors staged another hugely successful women-only track day at the East Midlands circuit.

The BMW Motorrad UK trackday, presented by Focused Events, was where Maria offered guidance, support and one-to-one tuition to participants who made the most of fantastic track conditions to improve their riding skills.

With over fifty women in attendance, the day was another big success, proving that these dates are becoming a firm favourite on the motorcycling calendar for many female riders.
Costello said: “I'm thrilled by the progress all the women made. Everyone improved their riding skills and took something away with them, whether it was going home a better rider or simply riding more confidently than before.”

“These days have become a true highlight of my year. I really want to make more happen in 2017 because it’s proving to be an important and great way for women to enjoy motorcycling and remain a biker for longer.”

Among the many comments from participants, Carmel Kammeier said: “I am not generally into idolising but I saw Maria ride at the Classic TT a few weeks ago and on the podium with John McGuinness. Next thing I know, here she is, in the flesh, encouraging and coaching me and many other women. I am back in the office today, but dreaming of my next track day with Maria Costello MBE.”

Sue Ward said she had “an awesome day and learned loads”. She added “I am still buzzing. Had loads of support from my garage buddies who helped with calming nerves, tyre pressures and technique. Most of all huge thanks to Maria Costello, you are so kind as you take so much time for every individual person.”

Costello added: “I need to thank BMW Motorrad UK and Focused Events for making the day possible, along with NGK Spark Plugs (UK), CPL Print Ltd, Arai helmets, EBC Brakes and Towergate insurance for their support of the event. Special thanks to my instructors Rupert & Virgil and finally, a huge thank you to the all the women that played their part in making it a memorable and rewarding day!”

To join the Facebook group Woman On A Motorcycle (WOAM) go here. 

Dates for future women-only trackdays will be announced on Maria’s website, which can be found here. 

Sign up for the WOAM newsletter & mailing list by forwarding an email to woam@costelloracing.com

WATCH TRACKDAY ACTION FROM MARIA'S WOMEN ONLY EVENT AT DONINGTON PARK

Maria Costello MBE, founder of the Facebook group 'Woman on a Motorcycle', will be leading and instructing a female-only group on the BMW Motorrad Track Days, offering women the chance to enjoy a day of thrilling riding while improving their skills and confidence. During these exclusive sessions, only female riders will be on the circuit.

Maria explains why she is pioneering these events:
"This is all about confidence and building more of it on two wheels. I am to provide a warm, friendly, all-female, environment for women riders to take to the circuit, maybe for the first time, and use the circuit as a controlled environment to learn and improve their confidence and riding skills, via instruction from my myself and my team of instructors. I want every women to enjoy their motorcycle as much as I do, it's not all about speed or getting your knee down, it's about that smile on your face at the end of the day after you've improved your corning, braking or riding position. It's about taking that confidence and those skills and using them in your every day riding and about meeting up with other women who all have the same passion for motorcycling!" 

The three dates for 2016 are:

Women Only Events with Maria Costello MBE:

• 03 August 2016 – Silverstone (£159)
• 20 September 2016 – Donington Park (£159)
• 12-13 November 2016 – Portimao (£1,150)

The events are open to riders on any make of appropriate motorcycle for track riding, with BMW S 1000 RRs available to hire. 

The exciting addition is BMW Motorrad UK - European Trackday at Portimao in Portugal on 12-13 November 2016. The price includes 2 days on track with instruction from myself, return flights, transfers to and from the airport and to and from the circuit, breakfast and dinner and return transport for your bike and kit! So what are you waiting for, limited places so don't miss out, book now!

To book your place just call Focused events on 01798 812 704.

Maria Costello joins forces with BMW Motorrad to offer female trackday experiences.

Maria will host three women-only events in 2016 at Silverstone, Donington Park and Portimao.                                                                        BMW Motorrad UK and Maria Costello MBE have joined forces to offer a female-only group at three BMW Motorrad Track Days run with Focused Events in 2016. The track days will be suitable for all abilities from novice to expert. Women Only Events with Maria Costello: 03 August 2016 – Silverstone (£159) 20 September 2016 – Donington Park (£159) 12-13 November 2016 – Portimao (£1,150)                                  Maria will be leading and instructing a female-only group on the BMW Motorrad Track Days, offering women the chance to enjoy a day of thrilling riding while improving their skills and confidence. During these exclusive sessions, only female riders will be on the circuit. The events are open to riders on any appropriate motorcycle for track riding, with BMW S 1000 RRs available to hire. Additionally Maria will be joining BMW Motorrad UK for their European Trackday at Portimao in Portugal on 12-13 November 2016. Maria Costello is a new brand ambassador for BMW Motorrad UK and has been racing a BMW S 1000 RR since the 2015 season - and she will be competing again at the Ulster GP and other international Road Racing events during 2016. Her experience as a road racing and short circuit rider make her the ideal person to help encourage more women to take part in track-based events.  Maria Costello said: “I'm very excited to have the support of BMW Motorrad UK in growing my track days for women. This partnership means we can take the events to three different circuits in a single year and one of those is in Europe. Last year the number of women attending grew dramatically and I saw every woman who took part improved as a rider and become more confident on two wheels.  "It introduced the circuit as a place to learn and improve and it was so incredible to see so many take to the track for the first time. It's the perfect controlled environment to improve your riding and I will be working hard to make sure more women become empowered on two wheels through these events in 2016.” To book places with Maria's female-only group on BMW Motorrad Track Days contact Focused Events on 01798 812 704 2016 BMW Motorrad Track Day events: Six to seven 20 minute on-track sessions for women Classroom tuition from Maria Costello and expert instructors Camping available for UK events Open to any suitable motorcycle Riders must have a full unrestricted motorcycle licence Prices from £159 per person (UK events) To book contact Focused Events on 01798 812 704

Donington Park gears up for final Women Only Motorcycle Trackday of 2015

This year’s final Women’s Only Motorcycle Trackday with Maria Costello MBE will take place on Wednesday next week (14 October) with dozens of female motorcyclists expected to take to the track once more. Limited spaces are still available for riders to take advantage of this last opportunity this year. The days, held by one of the fastest female motorcyclists in the world, have been a huge success, with over 100 women taking to the track across two days held so far in May and July. Several notable names have taken part in the trackdays this year, including Winter Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller. Next week’s event has attracted the talented British Motostar racer Georgina Polden who will be a guest instructor and Bike World TV presenter Suzy Taylor, who is returning to Maria’s trackdays to improve her circuit riding skills. The Women Only Motorcycle Trackdays with Maria Costello are for women riders of all ability, who want to improve their riding skills and gain more confidence on two wheels in a controlled environment, with instruction, support and coaching from Maria and her team of expert instructors. These days are perfect for female riders of all experience levels, so whether they have just passed their test and wish to gain more experience, or improve on skills already developed, all riders are welcome. Costello was the first woman to stand on the podium in a race at the Isle of Man TT, and in 2004, became the fastest female to lap the course with an average speed of 114.73mph, and is currently the fastest female ever around the Ulster Grand Prix course, on a BMW, the fastest road race in the world. BMW Motorrad UK will be supporting the event again by supplying the instructor bikes. A range of BMWs will also be on static display for the women to enjoy. Maria’s services to motorcycling were recognised in 2009, when she was awarded the MBE at Buckingham Palace by Prince Charles. Maria Costello MBE commented: “My Women Only Motorcycle Trackdays at Donington Park this year have been a massive success, and we’ve welcomed an extremely encouraging amount of ladies, many of whom had not been on track before. We’re expecting another very busy trackday next week, where riders can revel in the pressure free environment and develop their skills further with our dedicated team of instructors.” "Special thanks go to Towergate Insurance & CPL Print Ltd for supporting these trackways and to Hel Performance, EBC Brakes, NGK Spark Plugs, Hideout Leathers and Arai for providing discounts, products and awards for the ladies attending the day." Limited places are available. Book now via www.nolimitstrackdays.com or call 01727 827794. For more information about events at Donington Park, visit www.donington-park.co.uk. Read testimonials on Women Only Motorcycle Trackdays with Maria Costello MBE here, or visit her website here. Trackday T-shirts and Woman on a Motorcycle merchandise are available here.

OFFICIAL WOAM MERCHANDISE ON SALE NOW!

From Bobble Hats to Mugs and T-shirts to prove you've done a WOAM trackday with Maria Costello, it's all available via the Dread online shop here!

Or get an Official WOAM phone case from ON THE CASE!

Happy shopping :)

TEMPTED TO DO A WOAM TRACKDAY? GET INSPIRED BY THESE TESTIMONIALS...

Teresa Watkiss: Absolutely fantastic day.  Met some really nice lady bikers. Great day all round 😀😀 x

Marie Sheridan: Amazing day at donnington yesterday. .gained loads of experience .rode home with a massive smile on my face . worth every penny to ride with maria & her team of instructors.looking forward to the next ladies track day.book soon ladies. Best day ever !!! : -)

Anjela Sewell: Many thanks to Maria and her team for a great day at donnington, great atmosphere will definitely encourage more ladies to have a go 
👍👍👍

Siobhan Flynn: What a truly amazing day, am absolutely pooped today but still buzzing, spent the 7 hour drive home thinking about the advise I'd been given by Rupert, our instructor. A humongous 'thank you' to Maria and the whole team for organising the day, to have this amazing circuit for what felt like my own personal use and expert instructors on hand to help...well I feel completely spoilt, not to mention the friendliness of all I met, the biscuits, cakes, and have to say, rather handsome instructors! 😇. So if your reading this and didn't book this one, do the next one, it's amazing value for money and a fantastic experience! X

Leonie Blakeley: Thoroughly enjoyable day at Donington y'day. So much track time & relaxed supportive atmosphere. Great to meet like minded people & some sporting stars 
😌
Michelle Brown: Thanks for such a fantastic and friendly day at Donington! New confidence found on track and new friends made as well! Here's to the next one! 
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Gemma Viles: Wow what a day yesterday at Donny! You could not have wished for better, sunshine, biscuits, cake and lots and lots of track time. Loved the relaxed atmosphere and huge amounts of space on track to relax and do your own thing. I know a lot of men that would have happily paid more for the quality of day we had and even my own pit biatch (husband) and his ex-racer mate (who popped by to say hi) both said that the boys could learn a lot about how to go about a track day from the ladies yesterday. Really very proud to have had the chance to share some track time with such a quality bunch of people so thank you everyone 
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Karen Suttahkorn: Just to re-iterate everyone's comments, I had such a fantastic time yesterday and it was so much more than I expected. The track riding, the instructors, all the ladies that were there... Everything was first class. Having only just passed my test at the end of last year I learnt so much and gained loads of confidence. Thanks Maria for organising such a great event!

Sharon Luke: 24 hours on and I'm still buzzing from yesterday. A massive thank you to everyone, my confidence has improved massively and rode the bike better the ever before. Still have areas that need improvement, but getting there. 
Friend that came with me plus both our husbands have done previous track days and all said they couldn't believe how relaxed everyone was, the track space and how courteous everyone was on track. The boys were jealous!!! 
Once again a MASSIVE THANK YOU

Rachel Potter: I'm still on a high after the most amazing day yesterday. Thanks to Maria Elvis Costello Mbe, the instructors and all the other ladies there for an unforgettable day. Would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to build their confidence on their bike, and have an awesome day at the same time.

Jo Gunton: What an amazing day! My first ever track day and I'm already checking my diary for the next one. The improvement from start to finish was huge, my trusty Fazer didn't know what was happening! A really supportive environment and I met three fab women who I will aim to meet up with again. Thanks Maria

Anne Woods: Absolutely brilliant day I learned so much. The instructors are so friendly, helpful and encouraging. Can't thank you enough. These track days provide brilliant training that can be transferred to riding on the road. Can't wait for the next one 
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Hennele Hentula traveled over 700 miles to attend the trackday yesterday: Got home safe and sound last night after 740 miles on the bike but it was worth it, had great time on the track! Great bunch of ladies and fab instructors 
smile emoticon See you next time!

'WOMEN ONLY' TRACKDAY A TRUE SUCCESS

By Alex James Photography

It was truly fantastic to see over sixty women take over Donington Park circuit yesterday.

Filling the paddock, garages and circuit with their bikes and taking to the track, some for the very first time, it was a really special, as this is what I've been working towards for the past few years.

Not only was it a record breaking number of women to attend one of my trackdays but it was a record number of women, over thirty, who were taking to the track for the very first time.

Seeing so many faces from my previous events was fabulous and seeing just as many new ones was really brilliant as it means that the word is spreading and more women are realising that this is a great place to learn and improve their riding and increase their two wheeled confidence.

It was a brilliant day from start to finish and even the weather gods were kind and gave us clear blue skies and warm sunshine.

I'm blown away by the positive feedback I'm already receiving [I'll be sharing some on here soon] and I have to say that I couldn't have done these events without the support of Donington Park, so huge thanks to all the team there!

It was an absolute pleasure to meet and ride with all the ladies who attended the day - it's these women, who come and support these days that will make it possible for more women to benefit from more dates in the future.

I hope that with your continued support we can make more happen next year and see even more women gain confidence on their bikes!

Special thanks to my ace team of instructors; Rupert, Brad, Levi and Virgil. To everyone at Donington Park, to the No Limits team for the top admin/pit lane work, Alex James Photography for capturing some brilliant moments, Terri & Gary for support, Donna at Bespoke Injury Management for doing sports massages during the afternoon, BMW Motorrad UK for the BMW S 1000 RR instructor bikes, CPL Print for the certificates, EBC Brakes for the goody bags, and EBC, HEL & NGK for the additional prizes.

The next trackday is on October 14th and we may not have as good weather then but I guarantee you'll have a brilliant day!

I hope to see you then!