THE wait is almost over for Ellesmere Port’s queen of speed as she gears up to writing another chapter in the motorcycling history books.

Jenny Tinmouth, 32, will become the first female rider to compete in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship when she lines up at Brands Hatch for the opening round of the 2011 series this weekend.

Motorcycling’s first lady is fulfilling a long-held ambition as she steps up to Britain’s premier racing class, having signed for the Splitlath Motorsport Aprilia Racing Team alongside South African team-mate Hudson Kennaugh.

Mechanic Jenny, who last year set a new record for the fastest lap by a female competitor at the Isle of Man TT, said: “It’s going to be tough as we have only just got the bikes from Italy and it’s going to be a race against time to get them ready for the weekend. We haven’t managed any testing as yet, so I will be using Friday to get as much track time as I can.

“The week after we are at Oulton Park so being competitive is going to be a tall order.”

Jenny will be riding an Aprilia RSV-4 and will have Steve Bradley, her partner from the Two Wheeled Workshop in Ellesmere Port, as mechanic.

She raced in the British Supersport class last year but was offered a Superbike ride by Splitlath Motorsport team principal John Dimbylow after sending a speculative e-mail.

Jenny, who lives with parents Jean and Jim in Whitby, said: “I was determined to move up to the Superbike class and was working at putting a package together. I’d sorted one major sponsor but we would only have been able to put together around £90,000 for the season.

“That might sound a lot but, believe me, it would have meant racing on the cheap. I heard Splitlath were looking for the right rider so sent an e-mail more in hope than expectation. I was thrilled when I was offered the ride.”

Jenny, who will miss the TT this year as she focuses on her Superbike commitments, has been working hard on improving her fitness. She has managed some testing in Spain with last season’s machine before she gets on board her new bike.

Team principal Dimbylow said: “Jenny is a proven race winner and is 100% committed to the season ahead.”