Maria Costello MBE is teaming up with local woman Julie Canipa to tackle the sidecar class of the TT for the first time this year.

If it comes off, Costello will become the first woman to race both sidecar and solo machinery at the same TT meeting.

The pair marked International Women’s Day last Friday by securing acceptance to race the 2019 Sidecar TT.

Canipa is an experienced passenger having competed in the event for the last four years and is the fastest local female in history to lap the course.

The 50-year-old from Port Soderick is also the fastest female passenger round the twisty Oliver’s Mount course in Scarborough and has enjoyed podium success at the Pre-TT Classic as well as racing in New Zealand.

She was recently awarded the Susan Jenness Trophy by the TT Supporters’ Club for her fantastic efforts in the event.

This annual award is presented to the female competitor considered to have made the most meritorious performance at the previous year’s TT. It is awarded in memory of Susan Jenness, who lost her life while marshalling during an off-road event in the UK but was also a sidecar passenger in her own right.

Costello, who has raced solos on the Mountain Course since 1996, made her sidecar road racing debut at last year’s Southern 100, while Canipa started her TT career alongside Doug Chandler in 2015 and teamed up with Greg Lambert in 2017 to claim her best finish of eighth.

Maria said: ’I’m so excited about getting the opportunity to compete on my sidecar at the TT, this would make me the first woman to race both a sidecar and solo at the TT races and to do it as an all-female team would make it even more special.

’I’m so delighted to have Julie as my passenger. She is a massive boost to my sidecar racing and especially to my TT as she’s a terrific passenger and she also has four years of experience here.’

Maria recently secured a deal to ride a Paton 650 for Mark Coverdale this year, including the Supertwin TT.

Julie is delighted to take up the chance of partnering Maria in the TT. Commenting on the news of their successful entry application, she said: ’Maria is a highly-respected solo rider and she has already showed potential as a sidecar driver.

’We should gel well together. The fact that Maria is also riding a twin in the TT is useful as the speed differential is not huge. She’s just got to remember that there is another wheel and a passenger to think of on the left-hand corners!’