Maria Costello MBE opened her 2016 road racing campaign this weekend with a competitive 11th place finish in the Supertwin class at the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 road races in Northern Ireland.

Costello returned to the 2.1 mile Cookstown circuit, set on real roads in County Tyrone, with her Kawasaki ER6 supertwin, which sported a fantastic new NGK Spark Plugs dominated livery.

Friday’s qualifying for the Supertwin class took place in cold but dry conditions and Costello’s quickest time of 1.37.248 on her 6th and final lap would see her finish 4th in her group, securing an overall 12th spot on the grid out of 33 entrants. That time was also a significant 2.2 seconds quicker than her qualifying time achieved during her last visit to the circuit in 2014.

Race day arrived, and this time without snow and hail showers. Maria, having only shaken down the bike the day before in practice, took to the Supertwin grid in anticipation. A bad start left her playing catch up from the start and then on the penultimate lap she almost over shot Gortin Corner, when passing a back marker.

Costello remained in 11th position until the end of the 6 lap race, taking the chequered flag a comfortable 5 seconds ahead of 12th placed Timothy Elwood.

Image by John Burke

Costello reflected on her race weekend: 

“I’m actually really happy with this finish. My qualifying times are two seconds faster than when I rode here in 2014 and it’s the first time the bike and I have turned a wheel since last year’s Ulster Grand Prix - so this has been a great shake down before we head to the super fast International Northwest 200, which starts next week. Thanks to all my sponsors who have made this possible, including special thanks to NGK Spark Plugs for the added support this season. Thanks to Signs2Wraps, Raceprint Design & Ymark for producing such a great livery and http://www.beckphotographic.com for the last minute photo shoot. I was delighted to reveal it here at Cookstown, because this part of Ireland holds a special place in my heart as my mum’s mother came from here.”

“I also want to thank new team member Jared Love, Kev Corbally and friend Rachel Clarke for collectively becoming my awesome team. To Kyra Fields and family for the amazing hospitality and congratulations to the Clerk of the Course and his team, the race organisers and all the wonderful fans who braved the cold but sunny weather, for making this such a great event. It feels so good to be back road racing again!”

Next on the agenda for Maria is the Vauxhall International North West 200 - 8th to 14th May.

Costello smiles as she talks about the NW200: 

“It’s a fantastic event, the atmosphere alone is incredible. Achieving an 8th place finish in the Supertwin race in 2015 was definitely a highlight and I’m looking forward to racing both my twin and BMW S1000RR Superstock again there this year.” enthused Costello.

Image by Ryan Fegan

For all of the latest news on Maria, including sponsorship opportunities, please visit her website at http://www.costelloracing.com.

For more details on Maria’s racing and other activities, including upcoming events, track days and opportunities to support her racing efforts, please visit her website here.

If you're female and want to be part of Maria's 'Woman on a Motorcycle' Facebook group join here.

2016 Sponsors: 

The European Shoe Machinery Company Ltd, NGK Spark Plugs, BMW Motorrad UK, Wollaston BMW, Nova Racing, Rock Oil, Arai, Knox, Hel Performance, Wilbers, Vmtek Suspension, Jap4Performance, CPL Print Ltd, Premier Bodyworks, Hol-Taj, Radicool, EBC Brakes, Signs2Wraps, Kawasaki UK Ltd, GBRacing, Racebikebitz - Samco hoses, Pro-Bolt, Daytona Boots, Pipercross, APC Wet Paint Ltd, Christian Baker, CrossFit East Northants, DnG, Trilogy Gyms, Bespoke Injury Management, Progrips, Promach, Skidmarx, The Joseph’s Experience, Towergate Insurance, http://www.hellomarket.co.uk, Complog Performance, Raceprint Artwork & Design, Isle of Man TT Breaks, Ymark Paintwork, Sparkes Management Support, CHI Fire Solutions Ltd, Wiz knee sliders, Stomp Grip & SKINS.