Fast lady Costello hosts female riding skills course

Female bikers have the unique chance to ride with ‘queen of bikers’ Maria Costello MBE this summer, at a unique women-only Skills Day with road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

Costello is one of the country’s most successful and accomplished female racers, and is also IAM RoadSmart’s Rider Ambassador. She has made more than 40 starts at the world famous Isle of Man TT and will be back there this summer, became the first woman ever to claim a podium around the course – with third place in the Ultra Lightweight race of the 2005 Manx Grand Prix.

For five years, Costello held the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course, when she lapped the Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73 mph in 2004.

Costello’s Skills Day takes place at Thruxton Circuit on 11 July. Riders attending will enjoy one-to-one riding instruction and tips direct from Maria herself. Places are limited, so anyone interested is advised to book as soon as possible.

Riders attending the Skills Day will ride their own your motorcycle and the day is carefully structured to develop skills in a modular way. Most attendees end the day with a much greater understanding of their machine and themselves as riders.

Some specifics of what will be covered include:

• Entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit, how we use them and where we should position for view, stability and progress
• Where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency. Most people have never used their brakes to their full potential
• Controlled, progressive, smooth cornering
• Gear selection and how to decide which is the most appropriate gear for the circumstance.
• How to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the motorcycle when cornering

“I love coaching at my own trackdays so I’m really looking forward to heading up this event. It’s wonderful seeing them progress gain more confidence and get more out of their bikes and become safer riders. It will be a fun day for all of us, and I can’t wait," she said.

This full day session is £149. To book call 0300 303 1134. For more information click here