In this case, I really wouldn't read too much into it as Wesley alluded to above. He's right. It is all about the "novelty" of it. If a half Eskimo/half French became the Most Valuable Cricketeer in the world, would you focus on his French ancestry?

Racing has never been a Black sport, and it ain't real strong on women either. It has pretty much been an Anglo white man's game with a passing nod to Latinos. Although F1 still has more attendance, they do it on a world scale. The true 800 pound gorilla in auto racing today is NASCAR. As NASCAR has expanded its fan base and overall popularity, it instituted a "Drive for Diversity" program to help advance the careers of women and minorities. Not much has changed but the effort is there to some degree.

Wendell Scott, a black man from Virginia, competed pretty well back in the 60's and 70's and actually won a race operating on a true shoestring budget. But NASCAR was also a regional sport and Jeff Gordon, one of the greatest drivers in any era and any form of racing, had a lot harder time being accepted in the 90's than Scott did in the 50's. LOL....Frankly, Jeff, for all his success, is still roundly booed at every race.

And don't mention the name of Tim Richmond, a spectacular racer in the later 70's and early 80's who was a fan favorite for his great ability and Hollywood looks and lifestyle, Tim died of AIDS when the word was only whispered. He was completely shunned by the NASCAR establishment. They have tried to make amends since, but for his fans, it is too little and too late.

So yeah.....The racing world will focus on Hamilton's parentage. Its a sport sadly behind the times in social grace but its trying to join the 21st Century. I know that many of you see no point in the sport, deny it is a sport, find it barbaric, etc., etc., and blah, blah, blah.

If you have gasoline for blood, you feel differently.(:<))

Spaw