Maria Costello

Maria Costello MBE (born 9 June 1973, Northampton, England) is a British motorcycle racer who held the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course at an average speed of 114.73 mph until Jenny Tinmouth took the record at the 2009 TT.

Costello was the first woman (solo racer) in the history of the Isle of Man motorcycle races to stand on the podium (RLR Motorsports Honda RVF400 - MGP 2005). Her success as a female motorcycle racer and success on the track has attracted attention from the media and the motorsport industry.

Costello made history at the 2005 Manx Grand Prix when she took third place in the Ultra Lightweight category of the 2005. On board an RLR Motorsports Honda RVF400, provided by Tim Bradley, Maria became the first ever woman to take a podium finish in either a TT or Manx GP.

In her debut appearance at the North West 200 Irish Road Race Maria came third in the 400cc class on board the RLR Motorsports Honda RVF400, placing her 7th overall, in the joint 125cc/400cc race. She also raced in both 600cc classes on her Bering Honda CBR600RR.

In 2004 at the Isle of Man TT races Maria achieved a Guinness World Record by becoming the fastest woman to lap the course at an average speed of 114.73 mph. She also finished 8th in the Senior race of the Manx Grand Prix (collecting a Silver replica award) out of over 80 competitors (male).

Overall, Costello has won a total of eight Manx Grand Prix Silver Replicas and one TT Bronze Replica. These are special trophies given only to those who finish within a percentage of the winner’s time. In 2005 she said that her ambition for 2006 was to win the North West 200 400cc class, to win the Manx Grand Prix Ultra Lightweight race and to compete at Macau.