The all-female sidecar team of NGK-sponsored Maria Costello and Kirsty Hauxwell has enjoyed a double-podium success at Round 7 of the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship at the Thruxton circuit.

Racing their LCR sidecar in the 600cc Cup-class within the 1000cc F1 championship, two-wheel racer and now sidecar driver Maria and her passenger Kirsty were on the podium twice at the event. Maria said: “Race 1 was wet and that was a daunting prospect as it was only our second wet race together on the LCR. So, to make the podium, third in our class, felt amazing. Then the weekend got even better with another P3 in Race 2 in dry conditions. It’s been incredible. We’ve learnt so much at Thruxton. It’s been a real confidence boost. Our partnership is getting stronger and we feel like we’re really climbing this steep learning curve.”

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs said, “We are delighted that Maria and Kirsty had such a successful weekend. We have been a long-time supporter of Maria on the two-wheel scene and are pleased that her sidecar career has started so well.”

Maria followed up her sidecar success when she returned to road racing by claiming a top 10 finish in the ultra-competitive Supertwin class at the MCE Ulster Grand Prix aboard her NGK Spark Plugs Kawasaki ER6 ‘Pizza Bike’.

NGK is the world’s number one original equipment fitment and its Iridium IX spark plugs are popular with motorcyclists for their ability to provide enhanced ignition efficiency, better acceleration, faster starting and smoother running, longer life, and better fuel consumption.