Beauties off to the races

They came, they saw, the conquered..

At least 58 girls did, anyway...

Over 200 girls turned up at Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix Brand Ambassadors casting recently.

That's twice the turnout of last year.

More girls wanted to get involved with the F1 this year, as the event offers speed, thrills and a chance to eat Michael Schumacher's dust.

Even some beauty queens came to the casting, which involved a catwalk and a pose.

However, some of the beauty competition winners didn't even make the grade of Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix Brand Ambassadors

But the winner of The Asia Model Festival Awards (AMFA) New Face Model Search (female categor)y and the Jaspal Fashionista Search 2011, Wafa Johanna de Korte, 18, was one who did.

She was happy that she was chosen to be a brand ambassador and was excited to "try something new."

"I want to expand my horizons and gain more exposure," said the model.

She will gain more exposure... after all, 600 million people worldwide will watch the event that will take place from March 23 to 25 at Sepang.

But it wasn't just the beauty queens that wanted to be seen by 600 million people.

Elya Ismail, 24, an accounting graduate, who is normally used to balance sheets and ledgers, is looking forward to getting away from number-crunching and onto the tracks, where the excitement is.

"I never wanted to do modelling or catwalking but this is different. This a world class event and I'm really excited to be a brand ambassador.. It's a huge event and it's watched all over the world," she says.

Patricia Plavan, a 22-year-old model from Uruguay, who is based here, believes the sun, the tracks and the roar of the engines will contribute to a unique experience.

"My whole family are racing fans. What's more, I love hot weather and I love being under the sun," she says.

There were also a number of girls who came from outstation to tryout.

Sisters Aimi Zanura, 24, and Aimi Syahira 20, came down specially from Kelantan for the casting and succeeded too.

They were both models, and have had experience being Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix Brand Ambassadors under the sun, previously.

Aimi Zanura has done it for three years while Aimi Syahira has done it for two years and both are looking forward to the thrill of the experience again.

"It's so much fun seeing people from all over the world!" says Aimi Zanura.

Inda Nor Hafifi, 25, who works for a Government agency in Melaka. came done to Kuala Lumpur for a day to to try out and was happy that she was chosen.

"It's an honour. The whole world knows the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix," she says.

Judge Bill Keith, who is designing the costumes for the Brand Ambassadors, said he and the other judges were looking for height, poise and beauty-queen looks.

He was happy with those who got through.

Bill congratulated the chosen ones and told them that the F1 experience would be very hot one "but a lot of fun."

"Your face will be viewed all around the world," he said.

And let's not forget their figures.

Bill stressed that the successful ones maintained their looks and figures for the highly anticipated, high-profile event.

"Make sure nothing touches your hips, not even your boyfriends," he said with a cheeky smile.

Petronas Nasional Bhd senior manager of promotions management of Petronas Motorsports, Roshaniza Ilmi Mohd Ali was pleased with the outcome of the casting.

"There are a lot of enthusiastic fresh faces interested in being Brand Ambassadors. In terms of image, it's fun and vibrant. F1 fans are in for a surprise," she says.

Tangerine Models, the official modelling agency for Petronas MotorSports coordinated the half-day casting at the Petronas Twin Towers.