I have mixed feelings about this. Luongo has done a lot of good in the past - anyone who remembers the fiasco that was the Dorna MXGP reign will recognise that. However the good he has done is far overshadowed by the damage he is currently doing. There are a long list of reasons why he has been able to do this, but Jody nailed it when he nsaid the Euro journalists were cowards. I think first and foremost the FIM has to take the brunt of the blame though through the way they have adminstered virtually every form of 2 wheeled motorsport over the past 30-40 years.
Anyone remember the rebel GP roadrace series mooted by Kenny Roberts and others will be able to see issues there that carried over into the MX domain. Hell, the way the FIM screwed us with the advantage given to the 4 strokes is a prime example and if one was to talk to a number of top riders that have raced the 500s as well as the MotoGP bikes I think you would find most would love to go back to the 500s.
The fix?
Well, if I had a few million I would be starting a breakaway series because I know that in a short time it would gain acceptance.
The current BS classes would be the first thing to go.
125cc - minimum 110cc and up to 125cc
250cc - 126cc up to 250cc
500cc - 251cc up to 500cc
Entry fees would be lowered significantly. I expect around $250/300 per round with discount if entered for the season.
Prize money would be reinstated instantly with moneys paid per moto as well as end of year prize money. I think that a $2 Mill series sponsor should allow at least 1 mill to be paid back to the riders. I would think $100K for the winner of each class with a minimum of another $200K to the top 20 on a sliding scale.
The series would be Europen based but would also take in 2 or 3 US rounds, plus I would punt for an Australian round and another in the pacific region. Ideally 4 European rounds, Australia, Asia (Malaysia?), West Coast, Canada, East Coast and then back to Europe for a final 3 rounds. By doing the travelling in one swing travelling costs could be kept to a minimum and the charter of a transport plane for that swing would make things a lot more economically feasible.
Having had a little to do with the now defunct A1GP series I have seen a lot of the pit-falls in an independant series but also the way they had specially built shipping containers made that interlocked and fitted on the plane with minimal wasted space. Those containers are stored in England currently and could be purchased at a decent price I would expect.
I think 15 rounds would be good but 12 is enough to start and if timed correctly could interest American riders who could race the AMA SX series then choose the World Series over the AMA Nationals.
