F1 is only about money making: Drag race champion King

Taking a mild dig at Formula One, European drag racing ace Ian King says though he likes the pinnacle of motor sport, it has increasingly become money-driven.
"I love watching F1 and the technology involved. But it's all about money, unlike other sports. The top drivers in the world don't necessarily race in F1 now," said the eight-time FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme) European champion here today.
King, who thrilled the audience with a demonstration of of the drag racing bike's wheels getting burnt quickly, was felicitated here by Gulf Oil India.
King and British racing driver and two-time Le Mans winner Darren Turner, who is set to race for the 13th time in the world famous 24 hour endurance classic, held a workshop to motor sport enthusiasts here.

King felt drag racing was more suitable to India than F1.
"It's the most accessible motor sports in the world. There's a class for everyone (to race). It's the biggest participant motor sport in the world," said King who has broken several European and UK drag racing records and is the holder of multiple records across Europe.

"I had a great time in demonstrating the rules of car-safety through the workshop," said Turner.
Gulf Oil MD, Ravi Chawla, said the company was having serious talks with Original Equipment Manufacturers to bring endurance racing to the country.
"We want to bring endurance racing to India. We already have talked with OEMs on this topic. Regarding drag racing, we need to create drag racing tracks," said Chawla.

Chawla said Gulf Oil, one of the sponsors of successful IPL side Chennai Super Kings led by Indian team's skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is exploring how the cricket icon - a motor sport enthusiast - can be roped in to give a boost to this idea of bringing Endurance racing to the country.