Kylie the showstopper

Pop star Kylie Minogue stopped the Paris motor show pretty much before it began. Minogue was the surprise guest at the Ford stand, where she was reportedly paid $1 million to unveil the new Ford StreetKa convertible. She admitted it was her first time at a motor show. "I've been to a lot of things but I must say I've never been to a motor show." The singer then autographed the display model of the StreetKa, which will be auctioned for charity.

Wife rallies to cause

The oldest participant in next month's EnergyWise Rally 2002 will be driving the biggest vehicle in the event. Wanganui's Rod Coleman, 76, will be behind the wheel of a four-wheel-drive Ssangyong Rexton for the 1500km Auckland-Wellington-Auckland rally. Coleman is perhaps best remembered for his win in the Isle of Man motorcycle TT in 1954 as well as victories in a number of European Formula One motorcycle races. He later became the Suzuki importer for New Zealand. Coleman will be accompanied by his wife. He said: "There is an allowance of 100kg for the driver plus luggage, but the both of us together don't weigh much more than that, so I don't think we will pay much of a penalty."

Olden Holdens

The Early Holden Club of Auckland is having its annual get-together at Labour Weekend. The club, which caters only for original, unmodified Holdens, has invited members of the Falcon GT Club to show off Ford originals as well. The cars will be on show at the Big Top Recreation Centre, 19 Alderman Drive, Henderson.

Bathurst debut

Australian race great Dick Johnson will unveil Ford's 2003 Falcon V8 supercar at Bathurst this Sunday. Johnson will drive two demonstration laps of the Mt Panorama circuit before the start of the 2002 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000. Ford Australia president Geoff Polites asked Johnson to do the honours in recognition of his association with Ford over the past 30 years. "We simply couldn't go past Dick Johnson as the ideal person to debut the car." Said Johnson: "I can't wait to see the thousands of fans welcome the new car."

Awake to traffic jams

A student in Britain has invented an alarm clock that automatically checks traffic information websites - and goes off early if the roads are congested. David Hunt developed the clock as part of his undergraduate degree. He told Auto Express that people need never be late for work again.

We are the world

* Jewish "mohel" Samuel Greenbaum was booked for drunk driving on his way from one circumcision to another. Greenbaum, 58, told police in Detroit that he'd had a couple of glasses of wine at the first circumcision but felt he was alert enough to perform the second one. The breathalyser said otherwise. A "mohel" performs the circumcision ritual.

* Police in Toronto stopped a middle-aged driver who had suddenly swerved across a couple of lanes of traffic. The man explained he was distracted when his dog licked his ear. "Okay," said the cops, "but why are you driving with banana skins wrapped around your feet?" "Didn't you know?" said the man. "Banana skins are a remedy for bunions." He was let off with a warning.