Maria takes the Beugger Racing Paton to a clear victory in Rijeka

The Northamptonshire racer won the Premier 500 class at the Grab The Flag event in Rijeka, Croatia, and followed that up by claiming fourth place in the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Premier 500 class at the Barber Vintage Festival, Alabama.

At the classic motorcycle event in Rijeka, Maria was back onboard the Paton 500 which she competes on at the Isle of Man. Knowing the bike meant that she could focus on learning a new track and quickly got to grips with the newly resurfaced circuit during practice. She then raced the Beugger Racing Paton to a strong victory, lapping consistently and taking the chequered flag over ten seconds ahead of second place.

She said:

“I had the best time in Rijeka. Getting to race the Beugger Paton and win was a massive highlight but everything about this Grab the Flag meeting was just brilliant. It’s a wonderful event filled with a huge amount of track time on a beautiful track that you share with an eclectic mix of classic motorcycles – there’s more hand shift motorcycles than you can shake a stick at.”

The culmination of the event was an even better result for Maria, as the Beuggers confirmed that they would return to the Isle of Man to again field Costello in the Senior Classic TT. Further plans are in place for small modifications to the Paton and further testing in 2019.

Maria finished on the podium on this bike at the Senior Classic TT in 2016 and was fourth in 2017, while she was denied another podium finish when a mechanical forced her out of the race this year.

Maria added:

“I really can’t thank Peter & Barbara enough. Their support means so much to me and now we can have another crack at a podium in 2019.”

The Northamptonshire racer then jetted to the USA to compete at the Barber Vintage Festival and claimed a respectable fourth place in the Premier 500 class onboard the Jamie Waters, Bob McIntyre-framed Matchless G50.

It had been six years since Maria competed at the stunning Barber circuit and since she had raced with a right foot gear-shift. Therefore, practice was invaluable as it was the first time on these motorcycles and the team worked tirelessly to give Maria the best chance possible in the races.

She clocked a best lap time of one minute 53.528 seconds as she produced a consistent performance to take fourth behind winner Wes Orloff.

Costello also competed on another of Jamie’s collection, a 1974 John Player Norton 750 works tubular space frame replica (he also owns an original), but it was on the G50 (complete with with replica Minnovation G50 engine and TT Industries gearbox) that she had the most success.

She said:

“Massive thanks to Jamie for inviting me back, for making it such a great race weekend and all the laughs on the road trip from NYC. The progress we made was achieved due to lots of hard work from all the team and despite the necessity of a last-minute set-up, but Jamie has already confirmed that he is inviting me back next year and with more prep we will be battling for better results.”

“A special thanks to the team: Kerry (http://www.motovelocita.com), Chris (http://www.cosentinoengineering.com), Jon and Jenny, Mike Braid, Neil & Elaine, and Mitch & Julie. Their hard work, support and endless laughs made for a fantastic event!”

Maria is now preparing for her last race event of the year at the EMRA, Mallory Park ‘Race of the Year’ this Sunday on October 21st. She will be back on three wheels, competing on her NGK Spark Plugs Ltd LCR sidecar with passenger Sarah Stokoe.

For more information about the 'Race of the Year' go to https://www.malloryparkcircuit.com or https://www.eastmidlandracing.co.uk

For all of the latest news on Costello, including sponsorship opportunities, news, track days and other events, please visit her website.

Maria onboard the Jamie Waters Matchless G50 - Image copyright Phil Hawkins

Maria rides the Jamie Waters John Player Norton - Image copyright Phil Hawkins

Maria & Sarah making their sidecar road race debut at the Southern 100 - Image copyright Xambor