Video: Maria Costello swaps two wheels for four

09th March 2022

Henry Biggs

One of our favourite aspects of the Revival is watching modern racing drivers come and tackle some of the incredibly array of classic, historic and vintage machinery. The gamut of reactions is a familiar one. It starts with a bit of swagger (they are racing drivers after all) mixed with a good dose of trepidation, especially after practice when they realise what a difference downforce – or rather the lack of it – makes to a car’s handing. Then there is a jaw-dropping moment as it become apparent how closely fought the racing is. Finally comes the time when they exit the car after the race and you realise from their grin that they are now hooked on historics.

That wasn’t quite the case with Maria Costello who took part in both the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy and the St. Mary’s Trophy at the Revival last year. The former Isle of Man TT record-holder has been racing at the Revival on two wheels for about a decade now but this was her first time swapping saddle and bars for seat and a steering wheel. With back-to-back qualifying sessions on the Friday Costello was literally running to swap her leathers for a race suit before taking to the track in a MG Y-type for the first time. Costello’s weekend saw both thrills and spills but that grin was definitely there after the St. Mary’s. Watch on for the full story.