A women-only track day is set for
Teesside Autodrome on the 30th September, headed up by Maria
Costello MBE.
The Northamptonshire based
motorcycle racer and former TT lap record and Guinness World record holder has
new ambitions, but this time they revolve around helping and supporting women
bikers. Her first women-only 'Woman on a Motorcycle' track day is a reality,
with the date booked for 30 women to receive her tuition at the Teesside
Autodrome on Monday 30th September.
The idea behind her ‘Woman on a
Motorcycle’ project or association, she hasn’t labelled it yet, is to encourage
more women to take up motorcycling and for those already on two wheels to
become more skilled, confident and empowered bikers.
Plans to run slow-speed courses,
touring and social meets are also in the pipeline and the aim is to build a
dedicated website where she can offer help, advice, training courses, touring
and track day events as well as news, products and a place to exchange stories
and advice between members. Until this is in place the group has a Facebook
page -https://www.facebook.com/groups/371221686280661/?fref=ts
This first, limited number, track day
will be structured to provide each woman with the chance to be on track with
Costello. Classroom sessions will offer track riding and bike control advice
and tips, while there will be bike set-up advice throughout the day.
Maria Costello MBE has been
competing on a vast array of motorcycles for almost 20 years. Her career has
included the Isle of Man TT, Irish road racing, British Superstock, the CB500
Cup Challenge, South African circuit racing and the Daytona banked circuit, but
now she wants to turn her attention to helping other female bikers.
Costello said: ‘I get a lot of
messages on Facebook, Twitter and via email and this group felt like a natural
progression from that to provide a place where I can offer help and support.
I’ve realised that I can use my knowledge and experience to help other women
start biking or become more empowered on two wheels and it’s my dream to set up
a women riders association or something of that ilk in the near future. This
track day will be my first event to kick start this whole idea off.’
Since receiving an MBE for services
to motorcycling and publishing her autobiography ‘Queen of Bikers’ she has
wanted to do more to give something back to the sport.
‘I’ve been fortunate to do a lot
of fantastic motorcycle related stuff in my life and I want others to be able
to do the same and enjoy their time on two wheels. It’s time to give something
back,' she added.
The women only track day takes
place on the 30th September at Teesside Autodrome and costs £135.
For more information email Maria directly via woam@costelloracing.com
www.costelloracing.com
