Fast lady Maria Costello is returning to the Isle of Man this weekend after a successful TT to compete on two very different classic machines at this year’s Manx Grand Prix.

The former TT female lap record holder will be competing on a two-stroke around the Mountain Course for the first time in her career when she contends a Bob Jackson Suzuki T20 in the 350/250 Classic Grand Prix on Monday, August 29.

Her second steed is the familiar Steve Wheatman owned Suzuki XR69. Costello was denied a podium finish on this bike last year when the steering damper bolt broke. She is keen to be reacquainted with a bike on which she has unfinished business and hopes to improve on her 2010 fifth place in the newly-titled Classic Superbike race on Friday, September 2.

Costello’s enduring passion for the 37.73 miles of real roads that make up the TT course will be further boosted by working with seven times TT winner Mick Grant, TT podium finisher Bob Jackson, mechanic Paul Boulton (Ha, Boulton, you old bugger - DM) and sponsor Steve Wheatman who are all supporting her efforts at this year’s event.

"The opposition will be tough, the XR69 a challenge to ride and the T20 two-stroke will be a whole new experience but I’ll relish every lap, especially with the dream team I have supporting me. I can’t wait," said Costello.

Maria will continue her support of CoppaFeel!, her chosen charity of 2011, by displaying CoppaFeel! logos on the XR69 & T20 race bikes and by collecting donations in CoppaFeel! collection tins.

"TT race fans were really generous and we collected a brilliant £160 in the CoppaFeel! collection tins in June. If we get the same at the Manx I'll be over the moon," she added.

For more information about the charity go to: www.coppafeel.org