The Costello Redmond Racing Team got their first ever racing season off to a fantastic start at the opening round of the 2009 Hottrax Endurance Championships taking podium places in both the three and six hour TAG endurance races.

The team spirit was high as five members of the Costello Redmond Racing team lined up for their first ever race at the friendly Mallory Park race circuit. The three man team of total novices Derek Redmond, Andy Dix and Craig Allamby took on the daunting task of completing a six hour TAG endurance race, whilst Jon Leach partnered experienced racer Maria Costello in the three hour TAG event.

The six hour team had to contend with more than their fair share of difficulties during their debut event. Persistent oil leaks and a spill at the infamous Edwina’s chicane by the Dorchester based Allamby did nothing to deter them.

Craig Allamby, racer in the Senior 6 hour TAG team comments:
‘From the moment I got to Mallory I was buzzing. Sunday morning came and brought with it lovely weather and an electric atmosphere. Qualifying went well, 18th with a 1'00.06 lap. The start procedure was an experience, Derek got us off to a flying start. My initial nerves calmed down as I settled in to my first stint until the back end of the bike came round and spat me, tumbling like a 17 stone Russian gymnast, in to the gravel trap. I had to run around the outside of the track to return the transponder to enable the team to continue. Derek and Andy Sorry took up the slack until my bike got fixed and an all in all it was a fantastic weekend. One thing I did learn is that it’s a marathon not a sprint.’

The ever smiling Derek Redmond who was more at home during the Le Man start run to the bike and ‘Ice Man’ Andy Dix continued adding laps until the third bike could be recovered. It was their consistency combined with the dedicated help of two mechanics from IP Performance that saw them take the chequered flag in a commendable 3rd place in the Senior TAG Six Hour Endurance race.