Youthstream president, Giuseppe Luongo has been involved in the sport of motocross all his life. First as a weekend racer, then promoting the 1986 Motocross of Nations, running the sport in the 1990s with Action Group, and now in control of Youthstream.
It is a passion for the sport and to see the improvement in the Grand Prix series that makes him want to continue being involved. We sat down with Mr. Luongo and asked him about his passion and what direction the series is heading.
Giuseppe, how do you stay so motivated, you must have so much work, and you have been doing it for so long.
Same as you Geoff, it’s the passion. Really we are the privileged people, who do professionally what we love. If I didn’t have the passion and love for this sport, maybe I go and do something else. In the meantime, I see my son David, I see Daniele (Rizzi), young guys doing a good job. Maybe one day I step back and give them more space. They are around the 30 years old and very motivated.
That is something you see with Youthstream. It’s an older company from a long time ago, but you continue to bring in young people to run it and give it a fresh face. How important is that?
This is very enjoyable, and one of the things that motivate me. Motocross is a young sport, it is important to refresh the company, because if you don’t refresh, things stay too stable and you don’t have new ideas and then you are very routine, but it is important to have young people, but also we have diversity in the company. We have 18 different nationalities working for Youthstream. We are a world championship and we need to have different cultures involved. Not a Belgian world like 30 years ago, now it’s a real world championship. Motocross is growing in Asia, and in North America, and for sure its strong in Europe and in America or Australia, but we need to take into consideration to have the young, but also the different nationalities.
In the press conference it was talk about this GP. You mentioned it doesn’t have a new contract for next year. Do you have a feeling where it might go?
As the contact has ended this year, but we are in talks with them and also two other countries in the middle east. We are already talking with a substitute.
I have heard rumours that there could be trouble with Charlotte, can you confirm this?
It is possible (Charlotte doesn’t go ahead). Now its two months talking to them, and it can be that they step back. The cost of the event in a big structure is expensive, and even with a good spectator turnout, which it was and we expect more this year, still it isn’t enough for what we need for an event like this. I am sure we have another option and I am sure it will be a Grand Prix in USA. There is a small chance with Charlotte, but the other possibility we are dealing with now.
What do you most look forward to this year?
What I really hope, is a championship with all the top guys without injury. We see the level of MXGP is very high, but the majority of injuries are in training. I know we will have a great series, 19 rounds and a great show, but we want consistency from all the riders. That would be fantastic if that happens.
Working with your son (David). I am a family guy like yourself. There is nothing more enjoyable than working with my kids. How many years extra in the sport does this give you, being able to work with your son?
This is important, also for the future. If my son wasn’t interested in motocross, it could be different, look at Bernie Ecclestone in Formula One. So for this, if David wasn’t there I would need another solution. He is now working four years and he has a vision and he has good people around him. So I see the possibility for the future for David to continue and make it bigger and better. For this I am very motivated, because we have a lot of workers in Youthstream, and it would be nice if they all have a bright future.
