Cuban overtones dropped from Florida race

PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Organizers of the 24 Hours of LeMons auto race said they would scratch references to communist rebel leader Che Guevara from their December race in Florida.

The name of the event at the Palm Beach International Raceway will also be changed from the Spanish phrase for 24 Hours of Cuba of the North due to protests from the state's Cuban community.

Guevara is still reviled by many Florida Cubans for his role as right-hand man to Fidel Castro during the Cuban revolution, the Palm Beach Post said Wednesday.

Jason Rittenberry, president of the track, said in a written statement that his organization was unaware of the planned title of the event and the fact that Guevara's face was being used in the logo.

"We have worked with the promoters to change the title and all artwork to something non-offensive," Rittenberry said.