Juliet driven to become face of Pirelli

SHE knows all about spare tyres, but they’re not her own.

Juliet Ward, a 21-year-old law graduate from Cork, is in with a chance to become the new glamorous face of tyre-manufacturer Pirelli in the hob-nobbing world of motorsport.

Juliet is one of five finalists in the 2002 RallyXS Pirelli competition, and a win would mean rubbing shoulders with rallying's elite, including Pirelli World Rally Championship star drivers Colin McCrae, Tommi Makinen and Markko Martin.

The only Irish finalist, Juliet describes her best feature as her "sexy, just-out-of-bed hair" and her perfect night out as "going for a long spin somewhere interesting, having a good meal and then driving back as long as I get to drive!".

She declares herself passionate about rallying.

"I have trekked through enough fields in the pouring rain to reach stages of Irish rallies to have earned a place on the Pirelli team," she said.

The winner receives a year's contract with DLP Models, representing Pirelli and motorsport magazine RallyXS on the WRC circuit.

She is up against the likes of UK-based Heidi-of-the-luscious lips, Lisa-of-the large-blue eyes and Sally Ann-of-the-lovely-long legs (self-professed).

An Irish victory depends on Irish support, and to help Juliet on her way, supporters and other ardent admirers can push her on to pole position by voting for Juliet at www.wrc.com, the official website of the WRC.

Juliet's ambition doesn't end there. Her dream is to be the first woman to win the WRC.

"I'd even make tea for the teams if it meant I could see one of the WRC events," she said.

And they said women's lib was dead in the water....