BSB: Maria Costello to make sidecar debut

Maria Costello is set to make her debut in the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar championship at Oulton Park this weekend as part of the series’ first ever all-female team.

The TT racer will be joined by Kirsty Hauxwell as they compete under the banner of the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team alongside reigning British Champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood.

While a number of women already compete in the series as part of mixed-sex teams, the Costello/Hauxwell pairing will be the series’ first all-female outfit.

Costello first tried her hand in a sidecar in New Zealand a number of years ago and has since wanted to race one of the three-wheeled outfits.

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“I’ve been fascinated by sidecars for some time,” she said. “They are beautiful pieces of engineering, but most importantly I love the idea that two people have to work together to get the machine around the track.

“The rider and passenger each have a specific job to fulfil but they have to do so in perfect synchronicity to become a good sidecar team and they do this with no means of communication between them. It is a unique experience.

“The sidecar paddock is also very welcoming and the other women have been hugely helpful, willingly sharing tips and advice.”

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