Fast Chick with Balls of Steel

So I’ve always been fascinated by the Isle of Man TT, held every year since 1907 on a tiny island between England and Ireland. Heralded by many as the world’s most dangerous motorcycle road race, it’s a 37 and 3/4 miles long lap at speeds averaging over a hundred miles an hour (the record holder, John McGuinness, had an average speed of 130.354 on a Honda CBR1000 in 2007) in close proximity to picnicking crowds, pubs and shops. People die. Every year. Racers and spectators. Statistically, 1% of all IOMTT racers don’t make it home alive. Yeah, this shit would never go down in America. And oh my god do I want to race it.

So I wondered…has any girl raced it? Surely one has. How did she do? Yes, there is a girl who’s raced it, I don’t know if she’s been the only girl but she’s on the books with the Guinness Book of World Records for turning the fastest female lap around the circuit, on a Suzuki GSXR-750 in 2004. Her name is Maria Costello, and she’s a blonde British cutie who’s been a stunt double for Reese Witherspoon and travels around Europe inspiring girls and women to participate in sports, follow a healthy lifestyle and pursue their passions. She’s 31, 5’5″ and has been racing most of her adult life.

Not only is she the record holder for fastest female lap, but Maria also took third place in the Ultra Lightweight category of the 2005 Manx GP (also on the Isle of Man, but different), on a Honda RVF400, making her the first ever woman in history to take a podium finish in either a TT or Manx GP.

See her and be amazed.