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