The UK’s biggest independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has announced it will be renewing its contract with pioneer racer Maria Costello MBE as its Rider Ambassador for a further year.

Maria, often known as the ‘Queen of Bikers,’ was hired by IAM RoadSmart to promote the road safety message in her work as a professional solo biker and sidecar racer. She will also talk about current developments on rider safety and advanced riding through her well-read social media channels.

In 2017 Maria staged a women-only biking track day at Donington Park in September, offering free places to IAM RoadSmart members. Maria will also be heading up a ladies’ day for members of IAM RoadSmart on 11 July this year at Thruxton circuit.

She was a special guest on IAM RoadSmart’s stand at Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC last November.

In her professional career Maria needs no introduction. She has made 40 starts at the fearsome Isle of Man TT and became world famous as the first women ever to claim a podium on the island – with third place in the Ultra Lightweight category of the 2005 Manx Grand Prix.

For five years Maria held a Guinness World Record at the Isle of Man TT, when she lapped the Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73 mph in 2004 – becoming the fastest woman to have done so.

Maria said: “I am delighted to continue working with IAM RoadSmart, an organisation that is totally committed to reducing the number of deaths on the road for all users. It is a goal I believe in passionately, and the chance to work together for a further year on some exciting new projects was too good to pass up.”

Added Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer: “Having Maria as an ambassador for riding safety is a significant boost for IAM RoadSmart and the work we do. Having someone the calibre of Maria on board helps us reach an important audience – people who love bikes and riding them – and she will help inspire those enthusiasts that riding safe is the only way to ride!”

Lou and Matt Cox at our wedding!

IT was a weekend to remember at the 38^th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, with the Best in the West event drawing huge crowds to admire the hundreds of classic machines on display.

The February 3-4 show enjoyed a high number of visitors all eager to witness the delights that the show had to offer, including fascinating classic motorcycles, bargain buys on autojumble stands and a nail-biting auction to boot.

Tony Pashley took home the coveted Best in Show prize with his award-winning 1934 Model 95 Sunbeam. It was once on display at the National Motorcycle Museum where it was a casualty of a devastating blaze in 2003, but was then passed into the hands of top restorer John Phyzacklea, who lovingly rebuilt it to its current condition. Since being restored the bike has been showcased at numerous shows and has quite a few awards under its metaphorical belt, such as Best Road Racing Bike and Best Pre-War Bike.

This show is renowned for the efforts from the motorcycle clubs, whose members again proved their commitment to creativity. Wells Classic Motorcycle Club won Best Club Stand in Show with its inventive shop front theme, which attracted the eyes of judges and visitors alike. New Imperial and Goldstar came in a close second and third.

Event organiser Nick Mowbray said: “What a brilliant weekend! We have received marvellous feedback from visitors and traders alike. We constantly strive to make the show bigger and better and this show has been no different.”

A message from show sponsors, Carole Nash:

"We were delighted to sponsor this fantastic show again, getting up close with bikes and bikers from all over the UK. It’s always one of our favourite events on the calendar and this year’s show was better than ever. The Carole Nash stand, like all others, was buzzing, and we can’t wait to be back again next year."

Attention now turns to The Classic Dirt Bike Show Sponsored by Hagon Shocks, celebrating all things classic dirt bike, at The International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JH over the weekend of February 17-18. The show is set to be an off-road jamboree for all fans of the dirt bike scene. 
For more information please go to: www.classicbikeshows.com

The Official Launch of the 2018 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy will take place on Wednesday 21^st March at the Villa Marina.

The most famous names in TT racing will be in attendance at the event to talk about their preparations and ambitions ahead of the 2018 event.

The star studded evening will see the latest news on all of the action on track announced, as well as details of new additions to the off track schedule. All of which will be set against a backdrop of some of the amazing machines being ridden this year along with the iconic TT trophies and a non -stop collection of awe inspiring TT video clips.

Doors open at 7.00pm for a 730pm start with tickets priced at £5 available from the Villa Marina box office at www.villagaiety.com

If you can’t be on the Island, you will be able to watch the proceedings live via the Official Isle of Man TT Races website - iomtt.com