BABES & BABIES

FAST cars and sexy models are a common sight at car shows.

HER MAJESTY: Nicola Bennett, 18, won the Carnival 2009 Race Queen title. Photographers making sure they get the best shot. AT THE PINNACLE BOOTH: June Low, June Wee, Winnie, Sonia and Xiaoting. ON ALL FOURS: Keane Wong, winner of the baby crawling race and another competitor taking a break. TNP PICTURES: KUA CHEE SIONG

But what about a race queen pageant?

Indeed, such a pageant was held over the weekend at the CATS Classified's Car-nival, which attracted more than 70,000 to the Singapore Expo on Sunday.

Certainly, not all turned up for the pageant. There was another reason - car candy. It was Singapore's biggest car-mart event where visitors splurged nearly $30 million.

Compared to last year, car sales dipped 20 per cent to 465 cars, but sales of accessories rose by 25 per cent.

More than 80 exhibitors featured hundreds of new and pre-owned cars, and an impressive array of motoring products and services.

Now in its 14th year, the annual event included a baby crawling race and an office chair race.

Who won

The Race Queen pageant saw 60 women vying for the coveted crown of Car-nival 2009 Race Queen.

Contestants were tested on their catwalk and posing ability, their knowledge of cars and their 'Race Queen Factor'.

Finalists were quizzed to see how quickly and confidently they could respond.

Singapore PR Nicola Bennett, 18, an undergraduate, emerged the winner.

The Eurasian of British and Indonesian descent bagged $2,000 and a portfolio session with a professional photography studio.

Some adults braved embarrassment to weave through an obstacle course - seated in office chairs.

The baby crawling race, which required toddlers under 12 months to crawl 8m, was a good reason for mothers to join the mostly male crowd.

A few tots called a strike and refused to continue crawling midway while another decided that he just wanted to sleep. And so he did, halfway through his race.

Keane Wong, 11 months old, crawled in his own unique way to win the race in 22 seconds.