Promo girls all part of motorsport image

The bus is full of beautiful girls. Their long legs drape over the back of the seats like cascading silk, while wisps of honey blonde and chocolate mocha foiled hair fall over bronzed, lean shoulders.

Lipsticks are pulled out of handbags like guns from a holster and conversation effortlessly flows with words like little black dress and stilettos punctuating the Taupo breeze.

If there was music blaring you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a scene from a rock band's road trip circa 1973, but it's not.

It's the temporary home for 26 A1GP promotional girls who have spent the last two days looking good for the camera, good for the drivers and good for the thousands of adoring fans who attended the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Event at the revamped Taupo Motorsport Park.

For 19-year-old Natalie Campbell-Cole it's also the stuff dreams are made of. She's used to working at Taupo's BP Wild Bean Cafe, so international sporting stars, glamour and an appreciative audience make a welcome change.

"So far we've had to look pretty, stand behind the drivers while they sign autographs for the fans, escort drivers to the grid and in general look after the driver," the leggy brunette said.

"It's been great meeting people and being part of this exciting event."

Miss Campbell-Cole was one of more than 70 hopefuls who applied for the promotional girls' position after spying an ad on Trade Me.

She said she had never done any modelling or promotional work before and thought the opportunity was too good to turn down.

The same applied for Tirau's Briar Jacobson-Lane, 18, who was encouraged by her friends to apply for the position.

"I've enjoyed it. It's been quite cool, especially when we got stopped and asked for autographs - you almost felt famous."

Of course there's been a downside. Try balancing in black stilettos on gravel, holding the flag of the driver's country in a blustery sou'wester or keeping the dust off a perfectly made-up face.

Which bodes the question: How do you become a promotional girl?

Craig Lord, director of Class Act Models, a business that takes promotional girls to expos, trade shows and motorsport events, said it's all about pitting the right image and personality with the brand of a company.

"Their main duty is to be part of the overall ceremony of the event by holding the representation of the country, whether it be a flag or a lollipop.

"It's a very military production, part of an overall show. Their sole duty is to look good for A1 and be part of the whole extravaganza."

Not necessarily the most PC thing to do in a era of post-feminism right? Wrong, according to Mr Lord.

"Most people say 'how do I get that job?' And it's not a job for everyone. The girls have to trust you and you've got to have scruples.

"My daughter is currently 9 and we ask ourselves, 'when she is 18, would we be happy with her doing this?' And that's how we base all of our work. We're very strict on what jobs we do."

Luckily for Miss Campbell-Cole, the future of the Taupo event looks certain following a successful weekend. Maybe the glamorous world of motorsport may beckon her again.