Newman hot stuff at 79

Actor Paul Newman, a keen sports car racer, escaped unhurt yesterday when a car he was testing at Daytona Beach in Florida caught fire.

"Newman made his way out of the car, was taken to the track's infield medical centre for precautionary measures and was released," the organisers said.

The Academy Award-winning actor, 79, was practising for next month's Rolex 24 at Daytona Beach.