Maria Costello capped off a mixed two weeks at the Isle of Man TT with her best-ever finish on the Mountain Course of 16th in the lightweight race on Friday.
Wet weather in week one limited the Spratton racer’s practise time, as well as a crash, meaning she struggled with handling issues on her Bob Wylie Triumph bike during the two Supersport races.
She also withdrew from the Senior TT, but managed to end this year’s event on a high after crossing the line 16th on her home-built ESM/Hol-Taj backed Kawasaki ER6 Pizza Race Bike.
“It’s been difficult at times and I’ll be making many changes for next year, but I’ve had a fantastic 2013 TT,” said Costello.
“The pizza bike never put a foot wrong. The Metzeler tyres were working perfectly from the off, as was the Wilbers suspension that Arny from Moto Shox had set-up.
“And the Dymags really improved the handling and would have played a part in me lapping at almost 111mph. I loved every second of the race and my pit crew were once again epic.”
Costello set off in 28th place, putting in a brilliant 109.75mph standing start lap she moved up to 16th place on lap one. Battling on the road with Paul Shoesmith and Neil Champion, Costello came in for her pit-stop at the end of lap one, but with her usual refulling man. Simon Otterson. working for Stephen Thompson, she had drafted in current TT king Michael Dunlop’s fuel man Martin Marlow.
Including the fast pit-stop her second lap was still 106.95mph and she maintained her position. The battle with Shoesmith and Champion continued and they constantly swapped places until the third lap when Shoesmith was dropped from the pack.
Costello pipped Champion to the chequered flag, with a final lap speed of 110.96mph and overall race average of 109.196mph, achieving a bronze TT replica in the process.
She was also happy with her showing in the Supersport race, despite finishing down the field in 49th after struggling to find the right set-up for her bike.
“I did enjoy the Supersport Two race a whole lot more than the first,” said Costello. “I didn’t have a seat to hold on to for starters.
“I do love the bike; it’s a stock engine with a Scorpion exhaust and I love the way it delivers its power, but we’ve just had no opportunity to set it up and we had to make adjustments in the pit stop.
“I was enjoying a battle with some guys on the road and I have to be happy with another TT finish.”