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Un-Modified Umbrella Girls Would Leave Fans Out in the Rain
Written by: Neale Bayly   
11/12/2008
Charlotte, NC
 
If the era of the full-blown Super Umbrella Girl over, the level of competition will surely suffer. (Photo: LAT) ยป More Photos

With US motorcycle road racing going through a lot changes in the rules for the 2009 season it has been a somewhat confusing period waiting to find out exactly how the new series is going to play out. With horsepower restrictions, limits on engine modification and tighter control of after market parts, there seems to be one area of concern that no one seems to be addressing. What about the Umbrella Girls? Is the era of the full-blown Super Umbrella Girl over? Are the new rules going to limit the modifications allowed? Are teams going to be fined, penalized, and thrown out of racing for using illegally modified Umbrella Girls?

Just comparing the spec sheets of some of the top girls this year compared to a 2008 Superbike, and you can see the level of modification needed to compete at this level is already extremely high. A situation that has meant only the top factory teams can afford to run this level of equipment. I can understand the concerns of privateer teams. How can they compete? How can they field a competitive
Umbrella Girl?

So maybe limiting the modifications might give a chance to level the playing field? To allow the privateers to compete with the top factory teams. But what are we going to be left with on our race grids? With most of the top-level models not only undergoing highly extensive physical modification, there is all the mental tuning that has been undertaken: Expensive therapy, counseling, support groups, to mention just a few of the internal changes. Then there is the diet and exercise regime. Without the ability to have gas sponsors, race teams are going to be having a tough time fueling race bikes next year. But what about the poor privateer stocking up on organic, de-caffeinated, low fat, low sodium, low taste organic health food and tofu burgers for their Umbrella Girl?

See the 2008 Umbrella Girls Photo Album

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