On the eve of the opening round of the 2006 FIM MX1/MX2 Motocross World Championship, to be held at Zolder on April 2, Youthstream president Giuseppe Luongo spoke about his hopes for the upcoming season, the current 'health' of the series, the chance of a future GP in Thailand, the likelihood of the 2007 Motocross of Nations being held at Budds Creek and much more...
Q:
Giuseppe, how is the relationship between Youthsteam and the grand prix organisers?
A: During the Organisers' seminar in February we saw that there was a great atmosphere with them, they believe in what we’ve done to increase the level of the championships. Now we want to stabilise the calendar, to work every year with the same people and to create a family. I’m really happy about that and we will do excellent work together.
Q:
There will be fifteen events on the calendar this season, but it could be more?
A:
Our job is to try to find a balance between the parties involved, and it’s not always easy. For sure it would be better for us to have eighteen grands prix, and we could do it as we have a lot of requests now. But the wish of the teams is to have fifteen events so we are going in this direction. I think sixteen would be the best… we’ll have to see with the teams.
Normally we’ll have three new venues next season, Valkenswaard, another GP in England and maybe Thailand. The Japanese manufacturers are pushing really hard to go there, so if we keep fifteen we’ll have to manage the situation.
Q:
If Thailand is in the calendar, does that means either South Africa or Japan will have to be dropped as the teams' only want two overseas events?
A:
We have long-term agreements with Japan and South Africa. If we go to Thailand we will have to obtain strong support for the teams from the manufacturers. We agree with the manufacturers that we must go worldwide, but they must strongly support their teams otherwise we won’t go.
Q:
Three years ago you wrote an open letter to the Motocross community. If you had to write another today, what would it say?
A:
Ah... You know in life you don’t need to take any revenge, it’s not nice. Today I don’t want to say that I was right, but our political moves and our choices were right.
