Appearances Can Be Deceptive!

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acceleration rate, air flowing, Body kits, discharge headlights, exhaust pipes, exhaust system, fibreglass pieces, high speeds, installation, motorways, noise pollution, rear bumper, Rear wings, Romano Karim Yusuf, speed, speed breakers, speed limits, speedometer readings, stability, touring cars, traffic jams, tyres

Cars with extra trimmings are a common feature on our roads. But as it turns out, several car accessories make no substantial impact on a car’s performance, while some actually compromise it; these include:

Body kits look impressive; they consist of fibreglass pieces that are attached under the front and rear bumper, as well as along the sides and under the doors. Body kits restrict air flowing under the car and therefore improve stability. However, they only work at speeds in excess of city speed limits, frequently scraping and breaking when you encounter speed breakers.

Chromed, large-diameter exhaust pipes add bling to your car and generate excessive revving sounds, making you believe that your car is a speed demon, but in reality they do not improve your car’s acceleration rate or speed. In fact, they frequently reduce the pressure in the car’s exhaust system, which results in the engine losing power (making it slower), all the while contributing to noise pollution.

High intensity discharge headlights provide better visibility; they are usually installed on high-speed touring cars that are driven along motorways with greater speed limits than city roads. As it turns out, their installation, and use, is illegal in Pakistan, because they pose a hindrance to oncoming traffic with their blinding glare.

Cars And Stamps

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100 years, 150th birth anniversary, 1960s, 1970s, Aston Martin, Aston Martin DB5, Austin FX4, Austin FX4 black cab, British automotive industry, car stamp series, Casino Royale, Charles Rolls, classic automobiles, Dr No, Ford Anglia 105E, GoldenEye, Goldfinger, iconic cars, Jaguar E-Type, James Bond, Land Rover Defender 110, London taxi cab, London Taxis International, Lotus Esprit, MG MGB, Morgan Plus 8, Morris Minor Van, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Royal Mail, Sir Henry Royce, Skyfall, speed, thoroughbreds, Thunderball, Tomorrow Never Dies, workhorses

A craze for cars and philately – these are two hobbies which do not usually go together. Or do they? The folks at the Royal Mail seem to think so which is why they recently launched a series of stamps honouring some of Britain’s most iconic cars.

The six-stamp main series celebrates the ‘thoroughbreds’ of the British automotive industry, including the Aston Martin DB5, Jaguar E-Type, Lotus Esprit, MG MGB, Morgan Plus 8 and the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.

A four-stamp miniseries features the Austin FX4 black cab, Ford Anglia 105E, Land Rover Defender 110 and Morris Minor Van; these cars are classified as the ‘workhorses’ of British roads. All the cars featured were produced in the 1960s and 1970s.

So what is the occasion? As it turns out, 2013 is a special year in the history of British automotives on two accounts. This year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sir Henry Royce, who founded the luxury automotive brand, Rolls-Royce (along with Charles Rolls) and it also marks 100 years of Aston Martin – another legendary British car.

Train To Be A Football Star

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core strength, Euro Cup, European Nations Cup, fitness enthusiast, health, Karachi Bodybuilding Championship, one of the most prestigious competitions on the football calendar for European teams, speed, stamina, Stephan Andrew, strength

Originally known as the European Nations Cup, the Euro Cup has been considered one of the most prestigious competitions on the football calendar for European teams since 1960.

One of the largest tournaments in terms of viewership (over 200 million viewers worldwide), the Euro Cup is stiff competition. It’s no wonder then that athletes and even referees go through tough and strenuous training to build speed, strength and stamina.

If you want to have a football player’s physique, head to the gym at least four times a week, and follow this exercise regimen:

1. For strong legs that can help you jump high and kick hard, do squats to strengthen your leg muscles. Squats also help develop the back and abdominal region. Use weights with which you can do at least four sets, each comprising five reps.

2. To strengthen your core (your abdomen) and thereby improve your balance and coordination, do some hanging exercises (pull-ups and chin raises), lying leg raises and stomach crunches; do four sets of these exercise, each comprising 20 reps.

3. For upper body strength do bench presses using weights that are at least 60% of your body weight; do four sets, each comprising eight reps.

Of course, an exercise regimen is ineffective without eating right. And because footballers need immense amounts of energy, they should follow a diet that is high in carbohydrates and protein which provide energy and build muscle respectively.
Foods that will do the trick include beetroot juice, beans, whole wheat bread, brown rice, chicken breast fillets, boiled or scrambled egg whites and fish. And, of course, generous helpings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

– Stephan Andrew
The writer is a fitness enthusiast; he was a finalist at the Karachi Bodybuilding Championship.

First published in the Health Advertiser Section of The DAWN National Weekend Advertiser on June 10, 2012.