Glamorous Milka Driven To Be More Than Pretty Face

Newcastle Herald

Monday May 28, 2007

EDITED BY MICHAEL PARRIS

FEW of the hundreds of mostly young men lining up to get Milka Duno's autograph had ever seen the glamorous Venezuelan behind the wheel of an Indy car.

Hardly surprising, since the 35-year-old former model and naval engineer's resume includes just one Indy Racing League start as her only tune-up for Sunday's Indianapolis 500.

In fact, most of the more than 300,000 spectators who will descend on the famed Brickyard for Sunday's spectacle will not have heard of Duno until a week ago.

By the time the green flag drops, however, the Venezuelan will have become the most-photographed driver in the 33-car field, taking over pole position as the paparazzi favourite from American Danica Patrick.

Duno makes no attempt to play down her role as the sex symbol of the sport, often striding through Gasoline Alley in tight tops, jeans and high heels.

"I am Milka. I am the same Milka in every place, and I think the people feel that," Duno told reporters. "I am so surprised by all the fans."

Despite all the attention focused on her looks, Duno is more than just a pretty face.

She has earned four masters degrees and worked as a naval engineer designing oil recovery ships.

Duno did not begin racing until her mid-20s and has had most of her success in sports cars, including a second place at this year's 24-hour of Daytona the highest finish in history by a female driver.

"I feel a little nervous, but it is normal this is a big race," Duno said of her Indianapolis 500 debut.