This week, I'm going to shift gears somewhat in The Air Bag (please excuse the gratuitous motoring expression). Part of being a good driver is knowing what to wear behind the wheel. In some cases, it may help your lap times; but overall, it will at least help get you just a little more respect in the paddock. Think back to the classic drivers, and the ones that come to mind always had a certain style to them.
Here, dear readers, are a few tips to ensure good motoring and better fashion taste. Do pick up a good pair of brand-name sunglasses. A good pair will cut down glare from the road, though keep in mind that polarised glasses may make some electronic information screens in your car seem to disappear. And wire frames are best to keep your peripheral vision. Don't wear anything with diamonds or glasses that say "Juicy".
Do wear a snug pair of lace-up shoes. Runners with thin soles are best to help transmit feel from the pedal to your feet. Don't wear flip-flops or loose sandals that may come off at the worst time. Ladies, stilettos are a no-no, too. And don't wear any shoes that say Ferrari, no matter how much of a driving shoe they may look like: it will immediately give away the fact that you're a poseur. Do wear a comfortable shirt with plenty of movement.
Don't wear that tight suit jacket that will keep you from reaching the steering wheel at full lock. Remember, being able to keep your hands on the wheel is kind of important in spirited driving. Do make sure your trousers fit comfortably and have plenty of room. Jeans are acceptable, but they should preferably be made of cotton to breathe, as well as, er, being somewhat fire resistant. Don't wear shorts on leather seats when it's 45°C outside. I'm sure I don't have to explain why, though my tip about wearing something fire-resistant may pop into your mind if you do.
Do feel free to wear sporty clothing, especially if it is comfortable and not too garish. And tasteful race team shirts are acceptable, at least at the track. Don't wear any type of branded clothing or throwback items relating to Steve McQueen. Far be it from a slur against McQueen, who is one of the coolest car guys who ever got behind the wheel. But what made him cool was the fact that he was his own man and wouldn't ever have thought about wearing tasteless, money-grubbing tributes to past greats. You should do the same.
Do remember to wear a brand-name, high-quality helmet when on the track. Depending on the car and the level of competition or lapping, you could choose either an open-face or a full-face model. Don't wear a cowboy hat, unless you're in a pickup truck delivering hay to your neighbour's farm. And unless you always wear one of those flat caps, don't pick up wearing it to emulate the likes of Jackie Stewart. It will only highlight how much you aren't like him.
Do choose a fancy watch. I'm not sure what the connection is between the car world and a nice watch, but a good timepiece just seems to be de rigeur when it comes to high-end vehicles - just look at the baubles hanging off the wrists of almost any high-end race driver. Don't wear any watch that is too big to fit under your shirt sleeve. And in regards to the reissued Tag Heuer Monaco Steve McQueen edition, see the item previously in this space on McQueen for guidance.
I hope that this week's column has helped you become not only better behind the wheel, but also a bit more stylish, too. If you can't be a good driver, at least you can be a good-looking one. motoring@thenational.ae
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.