More About the Japanese Umbrella Girls

Last week in a post about the very rainy and extremely treacherous wet driving conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix, I posted a hot photo and briefly mentioned that the race queens – I initially referred to them as umbrella girls, I think – were present at the event and sporting cute pink and white short skits and umbrellas of the same colors. I didn't know it at the time, but Race Queens in Japan are a big deal. They stand in the pits along with the crew looking sexy and probably turning more than a Formula 1 drivers' heads.

The BBC News Web site featured an interesting story about the Race Girls a few years back. Below are some informative excerpts:

No Japanese race is complete without a parade of race queens, long-legged models in daringly skimpy costumes adorned with the colours of their team and its sponsor.

The race queens attract a lot more attention than the cars, attracting devoted fans who jostle to snap photographs of their idols.

Race queens embody the cult of 'kawaii' or cuteness, which you see all over Japan, peddling an image of doll-like beauty and unobtainable sexuality.

You Can Stand Under My Umberalla, ella, ellla, ay!

Earlier today I mentioned the rain-slicked Formula 1 racing at the Japanese Grand Prix (see below) just outside of Tokyo last Sunday. Those guys, unlike the NASCAR boys, will race in almost any kind of weather. And those photos of the cars zooming around the track with rain water flying everywhere are always a cool site to behold. However, those on-the-track images aren't the best photos that came out of the race. I prefer this image of Japanese umbrella girls -- actually they're called race queens -- standing by in case they're needed. Very sexy! With that I say, good night everybody and have a great weekend. …and, rain or shine, enjoy the games!

UPDATE: I just realized this is my 100th post to the sports/weather blog. That's a bit of a milestone, right? Right! Especially for a part-time, novice blogger such as me.

UPDATE #2: I know I said the above were my last words here for the day, but I just found a really cool photo you should see heading into this weekend's college football schedule. The photo is of Kelsi Metzler, a University of Oregon cheerleader, posing with an umbrella as part of a photo shoot for SI.com. Metzler is the Web site's Cheerleader of the Week. You can see the entire 18-picture gallery here, beginning with the umbrella pic. Be sure to check out photo one. Metzler makes those hideous Oregon football jerseys look nice while rocking a super-tight tummy and some really tight jeans. Go Ducks!

Ok, that's it for today. I promise.