Maria Costello MBE made her return to racing after a year out of action and claimed a new personal best competing on her LCR Sidecar at the BMCRC-MRO Championships at Donington Park at the weekend.

The Northamptonshire racer’s entire schedule of road racing was scrapped this year because of the Covid19 crisis that shut down much of the country.

Maria could finally make her return to short-circuit sidecar racing thanks predominantly to new sponsor RAM Safety Solutions Ltd and continued support from NGK Spark Plugs UK Ltd, Mark Coverdale and MJW Specialists.

Sarah Hatfield, Operations Manager for RAM Safety, was at the circuit to support the team:

“It was such a pleasure to attend and support Maria and her team, it was fantastic to see her back on track.”

With Sarah Stokoe in the sidecar, the pair trimmed almost 1.5 seconds off their previous best lap time set at Donington in 2018 and a delighted Costello said: “I cannot put in to words how good it felt to be back competing on my sidecar. It’s been such a long time coming!"

"Despite a few mechanical issues that mechanic Matt had to deal with, we had four race finishes and secured a new PB lap time in the process, not bad considering I’ve been away from racing for 12 months. I have a lot of people to thank for making this weekend happen; Matt Williams worked tirelessly behind the scenes before and throughout the event to enable us to start and finish all four races. MJW Specialists provided us with a great engine and the Nitron Racing Systems Ltd suspension worked really well.  Thanks of course to Sarah Stokoe for doing a great job as always.”


Maria added:

“Being able to improve our lap time was a huge bonus, all the mountain biking on my Saracen and home workouts from Tom at Unit Fitness have obviously not been in vain and having such great accommodation at the event made a big difference – thank you Smartfits Intsallations Ltd for the caravan.”

Costello is hugely grateful for all the support she receives from her backers and would like to thank all her sidecar racing sponsors:

Mark Coverdale, Frog Property Developments Ltd, NGK Spark Plugs UK Ltd, Ram Safety Solutions Ltd, Mac Tools, Rock Oil, Premier Bodyworks, MJW Specialists, H&S Contractors Ltd, Sports Insure, RST, Arai, Knox, Premier Display Ltd, Racebikebitz, Nitron Racing Systems Ltd, Jap4Performance, Progrip – Mito Ltd, Smartfits Installations Ltd, Hel Performance, HG Concepts, DnG, Rex Physio, Christian Baker, Saracen, IM1 Car Centre, Pipercross, DR Moto, Quinnstheprinters.com, Racing Batteries, Probolt, GBRacing, MSS Performance Ltd, Wollaston Therapy Centre, Barry Goudriaan, Unit Fitness, Gianni.im, Sparkes Management Support & Natalia Bowles Bodyworks. 

Costello added:

“The turnout of sidecars was impressive and I enjoyed some great battles on track. Well done to Bemsee for putting on a great meeting in these difficult times.”

Maria will be back out on track this Sunday 13th September when she adds a wheel and competes in an Alfa Romeo in the HRDC 2nd Annual 'Historics on the Hill' at Lydden Hill.

If you are interested in becoming a partner, please contact maria@costelloracing.com