race queen
A model usually present at auto racing events. They are typically seen wearing skimpy outfits bearing the logos of the racing team and/or its sponsors. Their official job is to hold a parasol over the driver to shield them from sunlight while their car is being worked on. Also known as a grid girl or umbrella girl.
The term race queen can be used interchangeably with the terms campaign girl and booth babe as all refer to models in skimpy outfits. Campaign girls can be seen more in trade shows and the like, specially those that market motor vehicles, while booth babes are seen in smaller booths, especially acting as booth tenders or helpers.
Due to the increased presence of women in motorsports and safety concerns regarding their outfits in pit lanes, race queens have been phased out of almost all major motorsport series, with Super GT, Moto GP, and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters being notable holdouts - DTM even offering the option for male pit models to accompany female drivers.
The most recognizable form of race queen outfit is a revealing outfit usually consisting of a crop top or tube top with a skirt or shorts, designed to highlight the model's midriff and legs, although highleg leotards and swimsuits with or without additional accessories have also been common as outfits especially during the 1990s in Japan. Recently, race queens in less revealing outfits have also become more common, primarily in regions outside of Japan that still employ them - their outfits will usually consist of form-fitting dresses or bodysuits instead.
Examples
- Danbooru post #97431: A typical race queen outfit
- Danbooru post #2246767: Racing PIAA race queen wearing a white leotard/one-piece swimsuit with sash
- Danbooru post #3122297: Pacific Racing Team's 2015 race queen outfit
- Danbooru post #6638123: Racing Project Bandoh's 2024 race queen outfit with a bodystocking
- Danbooru asset #21090138: Sawa Sumire, a real life race queen in Autobacs Racing Team Aguri's 2022 outfit