MARIA COSTELLO MBE is to become the first female president of the TT Riders Association in its 67-year history.
The TT and sidecar racer will be inaugurated during an association event at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on Wednesday 7th September.
She will join the likes of Charles Mortimer, John Surtees MBE, Joey Dunlop OBE and Nick Jefferies in heading the association, which offers support to TT racers and their families when they encounter hardship.
There are more than 145 TT wins between the 40-odd previous Presidents, many of whom were world champions. The current President, Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, is one of only three Manxmen to have won a TT.
Costello, from Northamptonshire, was made an MBE in 2009 in recognition of her success as one of Britain’s leading female racers.
She said: “I’m honoured to become the first female to become the president of the TTRA. They are a fantastic charity and one that needs to be better recognised for all they do for TT riders and their families.
“As president, one of my goals will be to help raise their profile and therefore help even more people. I’m sure that their Friends of the TTRA could easily grow stronger – the TT event itself has such a huge and passionate following that I’m sure more fans would want to be involved in what the TTRA do.”
If you wish to attend the event and see Costello arrive on her racebike, you can purchase tickets from Frances Thorp, honorary secretary, on 01624 843695/07624 402505 or by email at francesthorp@manx.net.
Tickets cost £37.50, which includes a four-course meal, commencing at 12.15pm.
