Fighting fit for 2008

10:12am Monday 24th December 2007

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Considering the racing season is drawing to a close for me I'm now waiting for an operation to remove a metal plate from my collar bone things should be calming down but it's the exact opposite and I've been ultra busy. That's my reason for neglecting my Preston Citizen Blog - hopefully this entry will fill in all the gaps!

The Manx Grand Prix was a roller coaster of a meeting with practice sessions cancelled due to bad weather, suspension problems causing a poor result in the Junior race and wet and foggy races. Also while running in sixth place in the Ultra Lightweight race a mechanical problem forced my retirement on lap two. Although the results were far from my best I did overcome my crash which happened there last year and with those demons well and truly behind me I feel I can return in 2008 fighting!

The fault that caused the retirement, a cracked sump, revealed yet another problem when we came to fix it. A piece of gear cog had sheared off and was lying in the bottom of the sump, so not only was I denied a finish at the MGP but I had to withdraw from the Scarborough Gold Cup meeting - which I was very disappointed about, apologies to any spectators who went looking for me, but next year I'll be there I promise.

Next year however is still to be decided, regarding racing plans. We're looking at lots of different opportunities. So watch this space for up-dates.

Now we have time to see friends and family we kicked off by celebrating my Fiancé's Mum's 60th birthday and then planned a weekend for my sister who lives down south to visit.

My mum's over the moon with the fact that I'm supporting the Isle of Woman Festival for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, as she has lost three siblings to cancer. I'm donating a pink Bering ladies motorcycle jacket as a prize in the auction at the Pink Tie Ball on Saturday 27th October at the Mount Murray Country Club on the Isle of Man. They're hoping to improve on last years total of £40,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer plus another single donation of £500,000 was received after the festival. Isle of Woman Festival Packages can be booked by contacting Everymann Holidays on 08444 937546 or email res@everymann.co.uk Full details can also be found @ www.visitisleofman.com www.theisleofwoman.com.

I was in Paris a week ago at the Salon de Mondial du Deux Roues 2007 that's the Paris motorcycle show to you and I as I work for a French motorcycle clothing company who were exhibiting there. We were unveiling our new collections - you can see details on my website www.costelloracing.com or go to www.bering.fr.

Next on my schedule are some Sporting Champion visits next week www.sportingchampions.org.uk at Myerscough College as part of a 2 Day Step into Sport Conference for young people aged 16-19 who volunteer in sport. I'll let you know how they go.

And finally, I've saved what I consider as the best news last, a year or so ago I worked as a stunt/rider double for Reese Witherspoon in a movie called Penelope. Reese plays a scooter riding courier and I did all of her scooter riding parts. It was being filmed down in London and I spent a few days down there in my own trailer working on the film. It was an amazing experience and I did get to meet some of the stars including taking Christina Ricci on the back of the scooter getting paparazzied in the process and I was in make up with Richard E Grant. The crew really treated me well they thought it was great having the TT's fastest female riding for them. At one point the director set up a camera on the ground and asked me to ride as fast and close to it as I could. So I wound the little Vespa up to go as fast as it would possibly go and practically skimmed the lense. The director and crew fell about laughing OK Maria next time a bit slower and not so close!' The films due to come out later this year but the trailer is already on line - http://www.penelopethemovie.com/ - and I'm in it!