NGK-sponsored Maria Costello has been competing in the world famous Isle of Man TT event and has also got to meet a very famous race goer on the island.

The ‘Queen of the Bikers’ met Prince William shortly before the start of Bennetts Lightweight TT race. Maria, who received an MBE from Prince William’s father, Prince Charles, was asked many questions by William including what she would be listening to before she set off. She said, “I was honoured to meet him, it helped with my pre-race nerves  I couldn’t help but mention that I’ve met his Dad and we talked about our music interests.”

Ignition specialist NGK Spark Plugs is a long-standing supporter of Maria with her Kawasaki ER6 supertwin motorcycle sporting an NGK-dominated livery. Maria vowed to take the positives from her Isle of Man TT experience despite having the misfortune of breaking down during the race and having to retire on lap three. The Northamptonshire racer was forced to start from 44th place after a catalogue of electrical issues hampered practice to the point where she had to stop and make adjustments on almost every one of her five qualifying laps.

She said. “I was initially bitterly disappointed to break down in the race. I’d already stopped twice on lap two to make adjustments, so I knew it wouldn’t be a good finish, but I really wanted to see that chequered flag.”