Paul Newman back on racing track despite lung cancer reports

London, Jun 15 : American actor Paul Newman has decided to take part in a motor race again, despite reports that he is battling lung cancer.

A partner in Newman's race team, actor Michael Brockman, revealed that the 83-year-old legendary actor would like to have a go at the race.

"He's going for a test run to see how it goes," the Daily Express quoted Brockman as saying.

"But he's talking about another competitive race. He's doing better than he was, so why not? Motor sport has always been one of the great loves of his life," he said.

Newman, a former chain smoker, was seen looking very tired and gaunt when he attended last month's Indianapolis 500 as a spectator.

However, his actor friend James Naughton admitted on June 14 that he was doing quite well.

"As far as I can tell, he's feeling quite well at the moment," Naughton said.

Newman had fallen in love with the racetrack after starring opposite his wife Joanne Woodward in the 1969 film Winning.

The double Oscar-winning star entered his first professional race three years later and in 1979 finished second in the gruelling 24-hour Le Mans classic.

In 1995, aged 70, Newman astounded the sport by becoming the oldest driver to be part of a winning team in a top American race.

"It is typical of the man that, even having been diagnosed with cancer, he wants to push himself in the sport he adores," a senior Hollywood executive said on June 14 night.

"He is and always will be a winner," the exec added.

ANI