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Edited Date/Time
2/28/2019 11:02am
We caught up with Giuseppe Luongo on the eve of the 2019 world championship to talk about the take-over by InFront promotions, the potential of a GP in Australia/Japan/ New Zealand, track maintenance, changes to the Assen track for the MXoN as well as whether the MX2 rules will be changed so Prado isn’t forced out of MX2!
Luongo interview
Luongo interview
Gatedrop: Regarding the MXoN at Assen, will there be track changes to allow for the bigger crowd?
Giuseppe Luongo: Yes, there will be a track change to practically double the possibilities of the crowd and also give the opportunity for the crowd to move around the track, so there are big changes foreseen to increase the show and the visibility for spectators.
this i dont like as Prado has stated he would prefer to stay in europe , but with this rule he will be forced to go 450 or USA ... stupid rules , kid isnt ready for a 450
Gatedrop: Jorge Prado has said he’s not sure if he’s ready to move to the 450cc in 2020 and if he wins the MX2 World Championship again this year due to the current rules he won’t be able to race that class again. Will you consider changing the rules again to allow Prado to race MX2 in 2020 if he doesn’t feel ready for the 450cc? I’m sure the last thing you want is him heading to America!
Giuseppe Luongo: This a pressure we are receiving but sure we will never change a rule for the advantage or the disadvantage of one rider, the rule with the title and age limit works very well and proves it’s the best way to give access to the young riders. We believe Prado, with a good preparation, will be very very competitive and ready for the podium in the MXGP class, but sure the decision regarding his future belongs to him and his team.
LOL
Do not suffer for Herlings, he is old enough to defend himself
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I have always believed that, for MXGP to have MotoGP-like cred, it needs races in Japan and Australia. Obviously MXGP doesn't go to those places, and there are underlying financial reasons why, but I'd like to see some deeper thoughts on the matter.
My assumption has always been that, in Pacific-rim places to which they do go (or have gone) -- Thailand, Indonesia, China -- the events are partially subsidized by the government, and there's no such funding in Japan and Australia. Is it that simple?
That said, the Australian nationals has horrific advertising. I'd imagine the GPs would put some money into advertising. Also, if they could get Reed to race, that would definitely increase interest.
With good marketing they would get great crowds,,,as we have been starved of big names riding in aus for years.
Aus sx open get good crowds over 2 nights
Would get a sizeable crowd there
Given current govt trends I would see it in QLD or Victoria before NSW, just because I think those govts are more likely to shell out money to support a motorsport event. I don't think a private venture is going to prop up that much cash, unless they get backing from someone like Cochrane, or one of the V8 based promoters as there's just not that much money in motorsport in Australia.
I think that an existing facility such as Broadford, QMP or Appin would be likely, they have the room to accomodate the teams and track facilities plus the ability to build and sculpt a track that would meet the MXGP demands. QMP recently hosted the first Aus day in the dirt and is close enough to advertise the race as Queenslands Gold Coast, would be a marketing dream for a promoter, but that's just speculation.
Australia would be a fantastic GP, a fly away that will see more locals filling gates than almost anywhere else and I would think that teams would be willing to put their top blokes on the line to give them a shot.
I's as simple as that.
As for Sydney SX - it's at what, a 15,000 capacity 'Arena' ?
Put it in a proper stadium, and there'd be far more empty seats, than filled ones, and the promoter would loose his shirt.
Pit Row
And that, fellas, is what it is All about.
I'd be amazed if any Government ( and look to that interview - Gov. backing IS the model for Luongo , well, any major sporting event nowadays) would look into an MXGP proposal, showing due diligence, and come up with it being a viable thing.
I'd Love to have a GP here. I spend a Lot of money to get to OS ones, most years. But, the damage failed GP attempt(s) could do to an already precarious MX situation we have here in OZ is not something I want to see happen.
If we get a GP, I predict about 2 years for it, again, when the local promoter (and / or it's backers) can't / won't stump up the escalating fees that Youthstream have in place.
Yep, I know I'm a 'buzz kill(er)', and I truly hope I'm entirely wrong, and we get a GP, and it's a massive success.
GP’s in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan make perfect sense. Except they add more fly away races to sink the teams budgets even more.
And no way the Aus gov helps them. Maybe a state gov would but fucking hell, it's a long way to come mate.
Broadford was a pretty boring track though....
Post a reply to: Giuseppe Luongo interview- new MXGP owners, GP in Australia, Assen MXoN and more!