Premier Bodyworks Rock!

Couldn't have done the TT this year without my truck and I couldn't have taken my truck to the TT this year without the amazing help from Premier Bodyworks.

It's all the behind the scenes stuff that usually goes un-noticed so I'm writing this blog to give you an insight in to some of the other things that have to happen before I can go racing and so that people know how great a company Premier Bodyworks are!

Of course you know about the bikes that need preparation, you know that I need to be fit and healthy and that I need a few sponsors to make it all happen but what about the vehicle that gets me to the event?

It has to carry the bikes, the awning, flooring, hydraulic bench, tool boxes, spares, consumables, tyres, wheels, food and everything else for a two week stay on the Isle of Man. It stands in the paddock as a base/hub - the home of the team for the whole event. It even acts as accommodation for some of the team. It holds up the 6 x 6 meter awning that becomes the workshop for just over two weeks and houses the kitchen from which we feed the hungry masses. It's my changing room, my chill-out area, where I watch my on-board laps before practice and where we have team briefings, it's where we catch up with mates and share a cuppa and a laugh and it's my place of sanctuary before a race. My truck is so valuable to me and Premier Bodyworks know this and Nick and his fantastic team of people made sure it was more than ready for the 2013 TT.

Giving it a full going over, service and MOT was essential but they went over and above that and gave me back a truck complete with newly painted wheels and bling wheel trims, some extra storage boxes [you can never have enough storage] and a new aerodynamic wind deflector which they also had sign written. You don't get better service than that!

Huge thanks to Nick and all at Premier Bodyworks!

The Truck That Maria Built in association with Ratech Group Ltd

Maria Costello MBE with Eddie Farrow and Jamie Varney of Ratech Group Ltd - by Bonnie Lane.

Maria Costello MBE has a new challenge on her hands, to build a race support vehicle for her 2012 race season.

The former female TT lap record holder and two times Manx Grand Prix podium finisher has joined forces with the Ratech Group Ltd to build a race support vehicle which will incorporate a workshop and living area for the imminent race season.

Jamie Varney set up the Stamford based company, Ratech Group Ltd, which specializes in the design, build, manufacture and conversion of commercial vehicles to produce outstanding promotional and hospitality vehicles. And with heavy involvement of Eddie Farrow has also established Ratech Racing, an associated company active in motorsport.

Jamie Varney, Director of Ratech Group Ltd & Ratech Racing said:

“Eddie and I are very pleased to be backing Maria with this build. We feel that she is a great ambassador and her endorsement will benefit both Ratech Group Ltd and Ratech Racing. She has accomplished a great deal in her sport and we are very keen to be part of her future successes.”

The collaboration came about when Maria was put in touch with the Ratech Group Ltd through a Twitter link to Joe Mills of www.joesgarage.info

Maria Costello MBE added:

“I went along to meet Jamie Varney and Eddie Farrow of Ratech and was blown away by what they can do. Their impressive list of clients, standard of build quality and their engineering skills made the decision to work them very simple. They have the ability to build practically anything from scratch to meet any requirements. They showed me around a recent build, a commentary box with a difference. A two-storey vehicle that could be lowered to just one level via hydraulics, to enable it to be towed, I was impressed.”

The project has been given the nickname ‘The Truck That Maria Built’ as Ratech are keen to involve Maria in as much of the build as possible, and this will include her being taught how to weld. The build is already underway and will be completed in time for the Isle of Man TT races in May 2012.

Maria is still looking for a commercial vehicle sprayer and an awning manufacturer to complete the build. If you can offer her any support please contact her by email – maria@costelloracing.com

For more information about Ratech Group Ltd or Ratech Racing contact Jamie Varney or Eddie Farrow on 01780 752327 or at the address below.

Unit 5, Tinwell Lodge Farm, Steadfold Lane, Tinwell, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 3UN

www.ratechgroup.com

The project also has it’s own Facebook and Twitter @TheTruckThat

Maria Costello’s 2012 Sponsors: Hol-Taj, Pr1mo, European Shoe Machinery Co., Ratech Group Ltd, Ratech Racing, Rock Oil, Draper Tools, Arai, Vmtek Suspensions, Wilbers, Pirelli, Racing Batteries, Radicool, Jap4Performance, Skidmarx, NGK, EBC, HEL, GBRacing, 1 Off Design, Knox, The Image Works, Able Labels, Alpha Powder Coatings, Daytona, Racebikebitz, Stomp, Pipercross, Christian Baker, Dallington Racquets & Fitness Club, Strength2Perform, DnG, Sparkes Management Support, Stomp, B&C, Webtech Software, Bournemouth Kawasaki, Hope&Social, Sauls of Spratton & Wiz.