Hollywood star’s IndyCar lid makes money for charity

This unique crash helmet, which features a design based on the most famous films of the late Paul Newman, raised nearly $41,000 for charity on eBay this week.

The helmet, worn by IndyCar prodigy Graham Rahal at this year’s Mid-Ohio round, was snapped up by an anonymous bidder for the impressive sum of $41,900, with all proceeds going toward the new Flying Horse Farms children’s camp in Ohio.

Late Hollywood legend reveals love of motor racing on chat show

Seb Bourdais and the late, great Paul Newman made one hell of a partnership. Bourdais drove for Newman’s Champ Car team from 2003 to 2007, winning four titles in that time (including 31 race wins and 27 pole positions). The Frenchman, who is still taking time to adjust to F1 with Toro Rosso, spoke generously about his former boss, who died of cancer at the weekend:

“He was just a great character. He got a lot of opportunities to drive some really nice cars and won his class at the Daytona 24 Hours at the age of 70. That was Paul. A great guy who was always ready to have a good time in racing as well as trying to do everything he could do to help kids and everyone around him. We had so much success together and some great years. That’s what I remember most - sharing so many great moments with him. We had known for quite a while that there was no way out and he was not going to survive the cancer. He was in a lot of pain, and he’s in a much better place now.”

Check out a vid of Newman and Bourdais on David Letterman’s chat show last year…

Sad motorsport farewell for actor-turned-racer

Legendary petrolhead Paul Newman took his GT1 Corvette out for a few laps earlier this month as he said goodbye to one of his greatest loves. The actor and former driver is terminally ill with lung cancer and is believed to have just weeks to live. Lime Rock Park race track in Connecticut was close for two hours so that Newman, aged 83, could take his race car out for the last time. His friends, family and race team mechanics were in attendance for Newman’s final race.

It is a sad story, but it is great that he has had a final blast at something which has undoubtedly given him a great deal of pleasure over the years. Our thoughts are, of course, with Newman and his family. There is a picture of him behind the wheel after the jump…