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Luc Santos / Factory MX Vacations
Luc Santos / Factory MX Vacations
by Rick Doughty
Luc Santos is on ”The Endless MX Vacation.” Everyone’s dream, right? The thing is, he isn’t hangin’ out in the islands listening to steel drum music. He’s not jet-setting around the globe in his G5. Hell, he isn’t even in a causal frame of mind. Luc takes on every day like he drinks race gas instead of coffee. He is WFO, making sure his guests have the best time possible while his company, Factory MX Vacations, hosts them.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Temecula Valley, it is a rapidly growing wine region in southern California, as well as the hub of the motocross industry. Riders, racers, trainers, manufacturers, aftermarket companies, and tracks are all here. For someone looking to visit the mecca of motocross in California, they need to look no further than Factory MX Vacations. Luc and his tight-knit team provide packages big and small, from a few days to a few months. Included are fresh, fully-prepped race bikes, accommodations, transportation to and from riding facilities, entertainment, and dining options galore. Fly in with your gear bag and fly out with a bag full of memories.
Motobilia- So Luc, how did Factory MX Vacations get started?
Luc- I was a pro motocross guy from Utah, chasing the dream, and made my way out to California several years ago. That’s where I saw the whole motocross vacation/bike rental model catch on. I thought it was interesting but didn’t delve into it until I quit racing full-time. When I started taking a hard look at the various companies running these programs, I felt like there was an underserved group.
Motobilia- What group was that?
Luc- The riders and racers who wanted to have a premium-grade experience. By that, I mean the group that likes the nicer things in life and can afford to pay for them. I wanted to target the folks who place a higher value on the overall experience than they do on the price. These customers don’t want to ride heavily used and abused bikes, go to cheap restaurants, and stay at the Econo-Lodge.
Motobilia- Was that a hard sell starting off? How long did it take for you to build a clientele?
Luc- It is hard to get any business off the ground these days. Our goal has always been to give our guests the time of their lives, and by doing so, we have a very high percentage of repeat customers.
Motobilia- What kinds of unique features do you offer?
Luc- First of all, we have a wide variety of the best bike brands available. All three Austrian brands, most of the Japanese manufacturers,and Stark. With enough notice we can accommodate most requests from 50cc to 500cc. We also offer a chance to try out cool parts, like A-kit suspension, billet triple clamps, billet wheels, ECU systems, exhaust systems, and more. We work with six local tracks. Pala, Cahuilla, Glen Helen, Perris, Elsinore, and Barona, and have some of the best trainers in the country. It just depends on the customer’s wants and needs. We have trainers for kids to Vet racers. If someone is interested in racing during their stay with us, we can work that into their package as well. I have lived in the Temecula area for 10 years, so I am very familiar with what it has to offer.
Motobilia- What percentage of your customers are international?
Luc- Off the top of my head, I would say that it is an 80/20 split. 80% are international guests. We go out of our way to take care of the folks who have traveled from different countries. There are a lot of differences in the US, so we do our best to guide them through their time here.
Motobilia- What is the busiest time of the year for you, and what makes it busy?
Luc- The fall, because of the Vet World Championship at Glen Helen, and then into winter because the riding is so good in California during that period. Add to that the West Coast Supercross events, and it is pretty easy to see why motorcycle people would want to be here during those seasons.
Motobilia- What are your plans for the future?
Luc- We plan to continue to make our programs better for our guests. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.
Motobilia- How long in advance should someone book with you?
Luc- It really depends on the time of the year and the size of the party. We can accommodate one person fairly easily, but a group of 10 takes some time to plan.
Motobilia- Do you ever offer any specials? Group rates?
Luc- We have special rates for groups of 8 or more.
Motobilia- What is the best way to contact you?
