Maria Costello will make her debut in the Hyundai British Sidecar Championship at Oulton Park this weekend, partnered by Kirsty Hauxwell.

The former Isle of Man TT star have received backing from the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team and will compete in the 600cc class as the first all-female team.

“I have been fascinated by sidecars for some time. They are beautiful pieces of engineering. But most importantly, I love the idea that two people have to work together to get the machine around the track,” said Costello.

“The rider and the passenger each have a specific job to fulfil but they have to do so in perfect synchronicity to become a good sidecar team and they do this with no means of communication between them. It is a unique experience.”

Passenger Hauxwell is no stranger to the series as she has been racing with her family for some time.

“When Maria approached me I was shell-shocked at first but I quickly realised what an amazing opportunity it was. Being the first all-female team is both exciting and daunting. It is scary to take on this male-led sport as two women but if we do well, we will be trailblazers and I’m glad to be a part of it,” she said.