Race Queen Looking for Love @ Upcoming Super GT in Malaysia

Adding that she had never really put much thought into the subject of a serious relationship and that her busy work schedule did not allow her that luxury, Momoyo, however, was quick to point out that she would not resist if the right person came along.

“Malaysian? I don’t mind … the most important thing is that he must have a good heart and he loves me. He does not even need to be rich or very good looking,” said Momoyo through a Malaysian interpreter.

First time in Malaysia, Momoyo and fellow GT Queen Aki Oguchi were in Highway Autocity today with the mobile Super GT Roadshow to promote the
2007 Super GT International Series Malaysia in Penang and Seberang Prai for the next three days until Sunday.

“I love the Malaysian people. They are nice and friendly; and they like us very much. I like the food and I also like the weather here. It’s always so cold in Japan,” said Momoyo, who comes from Tokyo.
[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20070608150842474.jpg[/IMG]
Together with Aki and the local promotion crew from Sepang International Circuit (SIC), Momoyo and Aki had been making stops with their mobile roadshow trucks in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Seremban, Malacca, Johor Bahru and Ipoh since the first promotion drive at Puchong Commercial Area on May 23.

Targeting to meet one million fans before the race on June 24, the mobile roadshow, which moved in two 30-footer lorries adorned in Super GT colours, made stops at shopping complexes, entertainment clubs, high-density commercial areas as well as rest areas along the highways.

At each of the stops, the sides of the lorries would open up to transform itself into a stage; housing two racing simulators and kiosks for selling of tickets and merchandise while the other would exhibit the winning 2006 Xanavi Nismo racing machine.
[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20070608150903984.jpg[/IMG]
“It’s tiring; but it’s lot’s of fun. We are very happy … we have been on the road everyday since we arrived here,” said Momoyo, who also made visits to television and radio stations as well as newspaper offices to promote the event. A part-time model and actress, Momoyo also sings at lounges in Tokyo in between her time at the race track as the GT Queen, which she described as ‘a wonderful job’ that allows her to travel and meet interesting people. Despite those traveling and meeting so many men, Momoyo said that she had never had a boyfriend in her life and that she had never fallen in love with anybody yet.

“I just did not have the time. My job did not provide me the time … I have been very busy with my work. I don’t know about the other GT Queens … you have to ask them yourselves,” said the 168cm tall Momoyo, who is the youngest of three sisters.

Joining the GT Queen brigade in 2005, Momoyo said the queens were hugely popular in Japan and that they have strong following with their own brigade of fans and considered as celebrities in Japan.

Apart from trading cards – similar to the hugely popular baseball cards in the United States and Japan, Momoyo said there were a few lifestyle magazines specifically focusing on the GT Queens and their life.
Recognised as a key component in the Japan Super GT set-up, some of the GT Queens are even more popular than the drivers, according to Japan GTA spokesman Sotoru Tsuyama, who is in-charge of international promotions for the series.

To be held from June 22 to 24, the 2007 Japan GT International Series Malaysia will be Round 4 of its nine-round series this year and Sepang is expecting a participation of 39 cars, 78 drivers and more than 100 Japan GT Queens to join Momoyo for the event in Sepang.

Main Grandstand tickets are priced at RM150 for three days and for those who want to be closer to Momoyo and her GT Queen colleagues as well as the Super GT cars, pitwalkabout passes are also available for purchase at RM100 each.

Credits: nikolaiski