Lancashire's top female motorcycle racer Maria Costello has just been presented with the keys to a Triumph Daytona 675 by Philip Youles Motorcycles of Blackburn.

This petite blonde is not your average biker, she holds the lap record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course and she has a Guinness World Record for this achievement.

She is also an ambassador for the Lancashire's RideSafe BackSafe initiative supporting safe riding on Lancashire's roads.

Costello, who lives in Leyland, will be competing on her Philip Youles Triumph Daytona 675 in the televised 2008 Triumph Triple Challenge series run at MRO race meetings across the UK.

She will also compete in the main International Road Races in Ireland and on the Isle of Man TT course, on both her Triumph Daytona 675 and her existing BERING Honda RVF400.

And she will be aiming for yet another historic podium finish on her BERING Honda RVF400 in 2008.

She took third place beating over 100 men in the Ultra Lightweight race in 2004, becoming the first female solo racer to ever stand on the podium in the history of Isle of Man TT racing, and intends on getting on the top step in 2008.

"I feel very honoured to be the first racer Philip Youles has sponsored and I'm very excited about racing the Triumph.

"It's great to be on a British bike and, along with my new found fitness and renewed determination, I'm aiming for a great 2008," said Costello.

While Philip Youles, managing director of Philip Youles Motorcycles, added: "The opportunity to support Maria was one we didn't want to miss.

"She's not only a great ambassador for the sport, but we believe in her ability and know that she can bring an added dimension to our marketing strategy."

Other local support, without which Maria would not be able to race, comes from another Blackburn company, CMS cars and commercials.