COSTELLO GETS THE DRAPER TOOLS TREATMENT IN TIME FOR THE TT

Draper Tools have been sponsoring Maria Costello MBE for the last four years but for 2012 the support has been increased to provide essential equipment for the workshop area of the 2012 Maria Costello Motorsport race support vehicle, that she will be using at the Isle of Man TT.

Image courtesy of Draper Tools.

Draper Tools, based in the south of England, have, over the past two years, dramatically increased their range of motorcycle tools and workshop/paddock equipment and will be using the ‘Truck That Maria Built’ project and their sponsorship of Maria Costello to help promote this side of their comprehensive tool catalogue.

Nigel Whatley of Draper Tools said:

'The workshop area of Maria’s truck will showcase the various Draper tool chests, workshop tools, bike specific tools and a hydraulic motorcycle ramp/bench.

We are very pleased to have this connection with one of motorsports more glamorous competitors. She’s a great role model for the sport and a great endorser of our products.'

Maria Costello MBE added:

‘This product support is fantastic and couldn’t have come at a better time with the race support vehicle being used at the TT. I’ve used their tools to build the Supertwin and now they’ll be in full use at the forthcoming TT on all three bikes that I’m competing on.’

To view the full range of Draper tools visit www.draper.co.uk or follow the company on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/drapertools or www.twitter.com/drapertools

The Truck That Maria Built project has it’s own following on Twitter and Facebook and the build will be documented in a blog, similar to the build of her Supertwin race bike – ‘the pizza race bike’.

To follow any of these on-going projects go to www.costelloracing.com

Maria gets an Olympic athlete to hold her brolly at the TT.

Courtesy www.benchallenger.com

My mum will be so proud when she learns that I've got a full blown, very tall, Olympic athlete holding my brolly at this year's Isle of Man TT races fuelled by Monster Energy.

Ben Challenger is aiming for high jump gold in the 2012 Olympics. I met him back in November 2011 at the Motorcycle Live at Birmingham's NEC, on the Ducati UK stand. We were both drooling over the Panigale and Diavel.

After Twitter conversations and a little bit of help from his sponsor Graham, the official time keepers of the TT, he will be attending and holding my brolly for the Superbike, Supersport1 and Superstock TT races.

Having an Olympian beside me for the start of race around the TT will be added motivation for sure.

Now I just need to work out his brolly holding outfit….

The European Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd Support Maria Costello MBE’s 2012 TT.

 

Maria Costello MBE is pleased to announce new backing from The European Shoe Machinery Company Ltd.

ESM will be supporting her at this year’s Isle of Man TT and for the remainder of the 2012 season.

The Northamptonshire based racer has welcomed this local support, which will aid her attempt to score her best ever result at what’s regarded as the greatest and most challenging road race in the world.

Maria comments:

‘I’m immensely grateful for this support from ESM. They also support the Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki team and that connection has lead them to support me.’

The European Shoe Machinery Company Ltd are the leading manufacturer of high performance  Goodyear Welted Footwear Machinery
and Precision Engineers of Replacement Parts for USM and BUSM Shoemaking Machinery.

Based in Kettering Northamptonshire, ESM have a long history of supporting many racers on the short circuit racing scene but this will be their first time supporting a female road racer.

Owner of ESM, Roberto Petrozzi adds:

‘Maria was brought to our attention when she agreed to ride the Pr1mo ZX10. We had some meetings and her professionalism and determination are what really impressed us. We hope our support makes the difference and helps her secure a personal best at this year’s TT races.’

With only 15 days before the Isle of Man TT races gets underway, Maria Costello MBE will be getting in some last minute testing onboard the Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki ZX10R in final preparation for the TT.

Maria Costello MBE stands with Roberto Petrozzi of the European Shoe Machinery Company Ltd and Joe Giammasi of Pr1mo. Courtesy of Bonnie Lane.

Costello will race the ZX10R in the three big bike races; Superbike, Superstock and Senior. She will also compete in both Supersport races onboard the Cookstown/BE Racing Yamaha R6 and on Hol-Taj backed Kawasaki ER6 Supertwin ‘pizza race bike’ in the Lightweight race.

2012 sponsors:

Hol-Taj, Pr1mo, European Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd, Ratech Group Ltd, Rock Oil, Draper Tools, Arai, Vmtek Suspensions, Wilbers, Pirelli, Racing Batteries, Radicool, Jap4Performance, Skidmarx, NGK, EBC, HEL, Stomp, GBRacing, 1 Off Design, Knox, The Image Works, Able Labels, Alpha Powder Coatings, Daytona, Racebikebitz, Pipercross, Christian Baker, Dallington Racquets & Fitness Club, Premier Therapy, Body Helix, DnG, Fortress Kitchens, Premier Bodyworks, Hope&Social, Scorpion Exhausts & Sparkes Management Support.

Maria honored to be the subject of artists prints

Maria Costello MBE is honored to be joining the likes of Carl Fogarty and Guy Martin as the latest subject for a drawing being commissioned by David Bill aka Billy the Artist.

Costello commented:

‘I was so blown away when Billy contacted me asking if I’d like to be in one of his prints. I’d seen his work and didn’t need to think twice before replying with a resounding yes. I used to do pencil sketches of bike racers back when I had spare time. This however is something really special and I’m humbled to have been asked. Now I can’t wait to see the finished article.’

The drawing is already in progress and prints will be released for sale at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races at the Art Stores, Strand Street, Douglas.

Maria kicked off her season with class wins on the Team Classic Suzuki XR69

Maria kicked off her 2012 season with two class wins onboard the Team Classic Suzuki XR69, backed by local sponsor Hol Taj.

Maria Costello MBE collected two class wins and a third in the Post Classic 2 championship races at Pembrey back in April.

Riding the Team Classic Suzuki XR69 for the first time since the Manx Grand Prix in September of 2011, Maria enjoyed getting back onboard the big old Suzuki.

Maria commented:

‘It’s a great challenge to ride. It’s big and bulky but I love riding it and this was a great opportunity to try it on a short circuit instead of the Isle of Man TT course where I using compete on it. Huge thanks to Steve Wheatman for this opportunity and his fantastic support and to Paul Boulton for mechanical support.’

Maria will be back out testing the XR69 in the run up to it's main outing for the year, the Manx Grand Prix [18 - 31 August 2012].

Follow Maria’s progress through her website www.costelloracing.com or on Twitter @MariaCostello

SWEET SIXTEEN FOR COSTELLO

Northamptonshire’s motorcycle racer Maria Costello MBE claimed two sixteenth places at the Cookstown 100 road races in County Tyrone on Saturday, April 28^th.

Making her first appearance for John Burrows' Cookstown/BE Racing team, Maria claimed 16^th place on the Yamaha R6 she will also campaign at this years Isle of Man TT races.

Maria said: "I loved riding the R6, each lap was a chance to learn more and I'm sure with more practice my finishing position would have been higher. I can't wait to race it at the Isle of Man TT. I feel it can take me to my best ever TT result. The Cookstown/BE Racing team made me feel right at home too, it's a pleasure working with such a professional outfit.”

Maria also claimed a 16^th place finish on her Hol-Taj & European Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd backed Kawasaki ER6 Supertwin, nicknamed the Pizza Race Bike. 

“Qualifying in 12^th place for the Supertwins ‘A’ race was a massive step forward this year and credit has to go to Paul of VmTek Suspension and Wilbers for the superior suspension we are running and to Bob Jackson for the recent engine development. I’m so pleased with how the bike performed and the 16^th place finish. Getting to race it at the TT this year will be a highlight of my season.”

Maria is the second fastest lady ever around the famous 37.73 miles Isle of Man Mountain Circuit, only bettered by Jenny Tinmouth. And has also twice finished on the Manx Grand Prix rostrum, finishing third in the 2005 Manx Ultra-Lightweight race on a Honda RVF 400 while last year she finished third in the Manx Classic 250cc race on a Bob Jackson T20 Suzuki.

Costello was making her third visit to Cookstown this year - the previous two visits were not without success. In 2010 she finished third in the Supersport 400 race while last year she was second to Tom Llewelyn in one of the Supertwins events. This run podium finishes was brought to an abrupt end when she was robbed of a comfortable third place when the battery on her Classic 250cc Bob Jackson Suzuki T20 failed and she was forced to retire.

Costello added: “That was the disappointment of the day, I was sure that I was on for a top three finish on the Cookstown circuit for the third year running. When the bike stopped I was really gutted.

Despite the DNF I’ve had a great season opener on the R6 and Supertwin. The crowd was fantastic. They really gave great encouragement and the atmosphere was terrific.

"Thanks to everyone who made the day such a great success, especially my boyfriend and mechanic Tim McGivern, John Burrows and his Cookstown/BE Racing team and my personal sponsors – Hol-Taj, Pr1mo, European Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd, Ratech Racing, Rock Oil, Draper Tools, Arai, Vmtek Suspensions, Wilbers, Pirelli, Racing Batteries, Radicool, Jap4Performance, Skidmarx, NGK, EBC, HEL, Stomp, GBRacing, 1 Off Design, Knox, The Image Works, Able Labels, Alpha Powder Coatings, Daytona, Racebikebitz, Pipercross, Christian Baker, Dallington Racquets & Fitness Club, Strength2Perform, DnG & Sparkes Management Support.

Roll on the TT.”

Image: Maria onboard the Cookstown/BE Racing Yamaha R6 at the Cookstown 100 road races. By Alan Armstrong.

Draper Tools are onboard again for 2012

I'm so excited to announce that Draper Tools will be supporting me again this season, only this time on a larger scale as they will be fitting out the workshop area of the new race support vehicle 'The Truck That Maria Built'.

I've been using their tools for over two years now and I can't fault them. They played a huge roll in the building of the Supertwin 'pizzaracebike' and I know they will be an important asset throughout the 2012 season.

Watch this space or follow @TheTruckThat for more up-dates on the Draper Tools we'll be installing.

Draper Tools also produce a wide range of motorcycle related products - check out their website for details.

Go Pro video of the Kawasaki ER6 Supertwin 'pizzaracebike' at Almeria during it's Spanish shakedown...

Watch the pizzracebike in action here

The Truck That Maria Built in association with Ratech Group Ltd

Maria Costello MBE with Eddie Farrow and Jamie Varney of Ratech Group Ltd at the Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki team launch. By Bonnie Lane.

Maria Costello MBE has a new challenge on her hands, to build a race support vehicle for her 2012 race season.

The former female TT lap record holder and two times Manx Grand Prix podium finisher has joined forces with the Ratech Group Ltd to build a race support vehicle which will incorporate a workshop and living area for the imminent race season.

Jamie Varney set up the Stamford based company, Ratech Group Ltd, which specializes in the design, build, manufacture and conversion of commercial vehicles to produce outstanding promotional and hospitality vehicles. And with heavy involvement of Eddie Farrow has also established Ratech Racing, an associated company active in motorsport.

Jamie Varney, Director of Ratech Group Ltd & Ratech Racing said:

“Eddie and I are very pleased to be backing Maria with this build. We feel that she is a great ambassador and her endorsement will benefit both Ratech Group Ltd and Ratech Racing. She has accomplished a great deal in her sport and we are very keen to be part of her future successes.”

The collaboration came about when Maria was put in touch with the Ratech Group Ltd through a Twitter link to Joe Mills of www.joesgarage.info

Maria Costello MBE added:

“I went along to meet Jamie Varney and Eddie Farrow of Ratech and was blown away by what they can do. Their impressive list of clients, standard of build quality and their engineering skills made the decision to work them very simple. They have the ability to build practically anything from scratch to meet any requirements. They showed me around a recent build, a commentary box with a difference. A two-storey vehicle that could be lowered to just one level via hydraulics, to enable it to be towed, I was impressed.”

The project has been given the nickname ‘The Truck That Maria Built’ as Ratech are keen to involve Maria in as much of the build as possible, and this will include her being taught how to weld. The build is already underway and will be completed in time for the Isle of Man TT races in May 2012.

Maria is still looking for a commercial vehicle sprayer and an awning manufacturer to complete the build. If you can offer her any support please contact her by email – maria@costelloracing.com

For more information about Ratech Group Ltd or Ratech Racing contact Jamie Varney or Eddie Farrow on 01780 752327 or at the address below.

Unit 5, Tinwell Lodge Farm, Steadfold Lane, Tinwell, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 3UN

www.ratechgroup.com

The project also has it’s own Facebook and Twitter @TheTruckThat

Maria Costello’s 2012 Sponsors: Hol-Taj, Pr1mo, European Shoe Machinery Co., Ratech Group Ltd, Ratech Racing, Rock Oil, Draper Tools, Arai, Vmtek Suspensions, Wilbers, Pirelli, Racing Batteries, Radicool, Jap4Performance, Skidmarx, NGK, EBC, HEL, GBRacing, 1 Off Design, Knox, The Image Works, Able Labels, Alpha Powder Coatings, Daytona, Racebikebitz, Stomp, Pipercross, Christian Baker, Dallington Racquets & Fitness Club, Strength2Perform, DnG, Sparkes Management Support, Stomp, B&C, Webtech Software, Bournemouth Kawasaki, Hope&Social, Sauls of Spratton & Wiz.

Maria writes for Motorcycle Racer

Don't forget to grab the latest issue of Motorcycle Racer to read Maria's Racer Diary!