Sidecar Success

The all-female sidecar team of NGK-sponsored Maria Costello MBE and Kirsty Hauxwell has enjoyed a double-podium success.

The duo achieved the feat during Round 7 of the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship at Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit.

Racing their LCR sidecar in the 600cc Cup-class within the 1000cc F1 championship, two-wheel racer and now sidecar driver Maria and her passenger Kirsty made their way onto the podium not once, but twice.

Maria said: “We did our first ever laps of the circuit on the Friday and loved it. It’s a super-fast track. Then it poured with rain just before our qualifying session. We came in as we had the wrong tyres for the conditions but the session was red-flagged before we could get back out.

“Race 1 was wet and that was a daunting prospect as it was only our second wet race together on the LCR. So, to make the podium, third in our class, felt amazing. 

“Then the weekend got even better with another P3 in Race 2 in dry conditions. It’s been incredible. We’ve learnt so much at Thruxton. It’s been a real confidence boost. Our partnership is getting stronger and we feel like we’re really climbing this steep learning curve.”

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted that Maria and Kirsty had such a successful weekend. We have been a long-time supporter of Maria on the two-wheel scene and are pleased that her sidecar career has started so well.”

Maria followed up her sidecar success when she returned to road racing by claiming a top 10 finish in the ultra-competitive Supertwin class at the MCE Ulster Grand Prix aboard her NGK Spark Plugs Kawasaki ER6 ‘Pizza Bike’.

NGK is the world’s number one original equipment (OE) fitment and its Iridium IX spark plugs are popular with motorcyclists for their ability to provide enhanced ignition efficiency, better acceleration, faster starting and smoother running, longer life, and better fuel consumption.

For more information about NGK and its products and services, please visit the website at www.ngkntk.co.uk