Monday Conversation: Josh Hill
Monday, November 5, 2012 | 10:10 AM
Alpinestars has been delivering performance of the highest level on the motocross tracks of the world for almost 50 years. Racing on Sunday and developing on Monday is a way of life at Alpinestars. Welcome to the Racer X Monday Conversation.
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PrintHeading into his seventh season as a professional, there’s no doubt that Oregon’s Josh Hill has had quite an up and down career so far. From the splashy debut as the next big thing to uninspired rides on factory Yamaha to turning it around on the L&M Yamaha team, Josh has seen it all. After basically being off for two years due to an injury suffered while attempting to backflip, Hill’s riding the roller-coaster back up with the announcement that he’s got a ride on the RCH Suzuki team for next year. Hill’s healthy for the first time in a long time and hoping he can make it all the way back to the podium.
Racer X: Josh, looks like you’ve got yourself a pretty good ride for next year, you’ve got to be excited.
Josh Hill: Yeah, it’s pretty unreal, really. It’s been a long summer and I tried to come back for the last few Nationals and that went okay. We had a couple of bike issues, some rider issues and I didn’t really do as well as I thought I could do. I was kind of thinking it was over and that I wouldn’t get another chance at this but it looks like I got one more.
You’ve always been realistic in regards to your injury and the long climb back to the top but in a way this has got to be the best you could hope for. Great team, great bike; it’s now all there for you again.
I agree. Last year when we came in we were trying to get ready for supercross and honestly, I just wasn’t ready. I was still having issues with pressure sores on my feet and I tried my best. It wasn’t anywhere near as good as it is now. And honestly, our equipment wasn’t anywhere near where as good as it is today. And we haven’t really started testing yet! It was just an uphill battle and I did my best but I got hurt and didn’t get to ride again. I took the summer off and I feel pretty darn solid now.
So how is the foot, ankle, leg or whatever else was bothering you?
I mean, I have no problems. I’m waking up and not in pain, I can go ride all day with no problems and I can run over my foot and not have any problems. I feel like I can take some hits now and before I felt like I could race supercross but things had to go flawless and not have anyone hit me or anything like that. Now, I feel so much better.
It was announced a few weeks ago that Hill had signed with the new RCH Suzuki team.
Simon Cudby photo
How was the so-called shootout between yourself and Kyle Chisholm? We all knew that it was down to both of you guys and both of you got to ride the bike and in the end you won out. How was the pressure of those ride days?
It sucked. I’d never ridden a Suzuki before and I showed up at the track and the watering system was broke. They watered the track in the morning for Chisholm and those guys and I show up and it’s dry. So I had to learn the bike and try to go super fast at the same time on a track that I’d never been on before. I was a second off the pace the first day. Those guys said they would give me another shot on the Monday so I went out and bought a Suzuki to get used to it. I just went to ECC and bought one, I got a good deal at over eight grand out the door. So I did that and I rode all weekend and when I showed up for the test, the track was still kind of crappy but I was way more comfortable on the bike. I thought it went pretty well.
And the word was that you went slightly slower than Chisholm but you were right there, you bought your bike and you’d been on the team for a couple of years so they have invested in you so to speak and you got the ride.
I don’t think I was slower than Chisholm. I don’t think he could’ve gone the same times on the track that I was riding.
Yeah, things were different for your ride.
Yeah the watering system was still broken when I went back there and it was dry. I had already dropped my lap times from that first day.
Well okay, I think it’s cool that even though you were maybe a bit slower than Chisholm.
Dude, why do you keep saying that?
It’s just what I heard! Okay, never mind that part.
Yeah, never mind that part [Laughs].
Ok, what I’m getting to is that it’s nice to see that the team didn’t just give up on you despite not getting much out of you, results-wise, for the last two years. There are a lot of teams that would have just written you off.
Oh for sure, I told them the whole time that if they went with Chisholm on that day we both rode the bike or even after my second shot, if they let me go I’d have nothing but love for those guys on the team. Like I said, no hard feelings at all for those guys, they’ve gone above and beyond for me and you don’t see that a lot in the industry. This is a team that’s growing, they’re getting factory equipment and if I can keep growing and get back to my old level then I hope I don’t ever have to ride for anyone else.
How is the Suzuki? It’s early but what do you like about what it does?
I think the bike is awesome, it’s a good set-up to start with and I have factory suspension right now and I love it. I got really comfortable on it right away but I’ll tell you what, that stock bike I bought is great. I haven’t even set the sag, the bikes are killer. The way they turn is incredible; they’re so much plusher than anything I’ve ever ridden before.
Hill is not expecting his past injuries to cause him problems in 2013.
Carl Stone photo
And hey, you got another year of injury-exemption so you can keep your permanent number of 75.
Yeah, I don’t know why they did that but it’s cool, I appreciate it. I have no idea why.
Last time we saw you in supercross, you were making the box and tied for the points lead. You sound like you’re pretty much healthy for the first time in a long time so can you get back to that level?
I just want to be back to myself, I don’t know if I’ll be able to show up at Anaheim and be a podium or a top five threat but the way I’m setting things up with my training program, it’s to get better as the season goes on. I want to be cranking on midway through the season and I want to be at A1 and show that I’ve back. It’s going to be a long road and going to be tough. I’ve got to approach it like it’s a long climb back and if I go to Anaheim and expect to be top five, that’s when I could get hurt.
And the ride is for supercross only and I know this is a long way down the road but what are the plans for the outdoors if everything goes well?
That’s not something I’m thinking about right now, I’ve got make sure I’m ready for supercross and able to put in 100 percent for that and we’ll see how that goes.
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nothing against Josh Hill, but a proven top ten threat that stays healthy is way more valuable than a guy that had ONE good year and will be hurt after the first heat race!!
They be calling Chisholm to fill in by Round 2!!!
I hope your dark days are over, Josh. Build yourself up and with help of RC show them what you got!
Stoked for Hill. I think he can find his way back into the mix.
Fingers and toes crossed (my toes since Josh's apparently don't have feeling most of the time) he stays healthy. Wonder who will be the replacement rider if/when an injury strikes.
Josh Hill is a fragile rider. I cannot imagine him going the entire season without major damage again. There is a time to say enough, I think he is there.
Josh is well deserving of this ride. I hope all his hard work pays off and he gets back to where he was. He is such a great guy and has many years left in the sport. You have to remember it is Supercross only. Matthes as always forgot to mention the second time on the track Hill was over a second faster then Chisholm. The only people that are going to be calling Chisholm after his little temper tantrum on twitter is the unemployment office. RCH still would not hire Wilson and it is not because he isn't talented. Its because like every other team in the sport their budgets are already submitted to the manufacturers and approved for 2013.
Now Kids what have we learned from the Josh Hill experience? Stay the hell away from J Law and don't get involved with the dumbasses on dirtbike tour if you can race with the big boys. Here's hopping all goes well for Josh.
Good Luck Josh....glad your on a Zook and with a great team...go Ducks.
Really hoping things turn around for JH75 this year!
This kid is an awesome interviewer, and rides with his heart on his sleeve. I like his desperation. When you have seen the elephant, you cannot help but be changed. This kid has the heart of a champion and the body of a 60yr old. If his body lets him, he will literally do anything asked of him, 100% dedication. He knows that anything less is the end of his dreams.
Kill it, Josh. Just Kill it. You will have fewer regrets if you come back and go all-in on every hand you are dealt. It will work every time but once, and when it doesn't work, retire with grace - like the champion you were created to be.
I really like the fact he has no plans beyond Supercross. That is the correct attitude! I will be pulling for the #75 this year!
@ Dragons Breath-That is quite the clip you found there. Actually watched it three times. Sucks to be those guys! But, what I'm wondering here is, are Welker and MX Bob random picks or why are you picking on them? Not feeling left out or anything,did I miss something? I think they are good guys. And yeah, anyone that skipped that quick flic, go back and watch it, gonna do it again myself!
PLEASE! I would rather have a tough Weston Peick racing indoors for RC.
Why would you ever take another chance on fragile Josh.. I'll give him
a few rounds before he's out or not even make the mains. His days are done.
Ourtdoors last year proved he's got nothing anymore.
@DragonsBreathe, good video. I think that is a classic example of young riders today. They will jump anything (even at the worst time) but can’t corner worth a darn. We old guys learned to put a bike on a rail because suspension was very different 20+ years ago. With today’s suspension, anyone can be a human pogo stick over a 90 ft tabletop.
As to Hill, I wish him the best but that was a very bad injury doing something very foolish. You just don't get to come back and run top 10 in a stacked 450 class after that kind of injury.
look at the # on the front of that honda is non other than the lucky 7 now thats funny right there. I guess we can blame js7
Good luck for a great 2013 Josh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That wouldn't be me. When I raced, I got good starts, cornered well, but would never be called a "fearless jumper". My arms got tired just watching that guy hacking through the corners.
JOSH! Oregon takes a huge amount of pride in the athletes it has produced. Not to mention I used to play football/basketball vs. your high school, so I'm extra pumped on your career! We claim you as one of ours, and there are an unbelievable number of proud Oregonians pulling for you with everything we can muster. You've already proven you can run with the best in the world before. Set your goals, keep up the fight to reach them - even when times get tough - and you will reach a higher level than you ever thought possible. I've seen you ride for years, and it's there for the taking.
Interesting choices for the team. Guys with potential that they probably got cheap.
Kind of like Denny Green and 1990s Viking QBs (google Jeff George, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham for that obscure reference)
I'm a huge Hill fan and nothing would make happier than to see Josh make it back to the box! Hart has supported Josh for the last 2 years and I'm sure that Josh will give it 100% and do everything possible to try and make Cary's investment payoff for H/H and RCH. For Hart to step up and take care of Josh the way he has shows what kind of integrity Cary ha., You just don't see factory teams do things like that. Good luck to Josh and RCH this year, they both deserve it!
The difference may be that Hill has won a 450SX and knows what it takes to do the job..............or it could be money.
His association with J-Law was a blip and it's in the past. He was a good kid that had potential and he never would've gotten the chances he did if that weren't true. Hopefully, he'll be able to achieve some of that potential we saw before the window closes on him.
I read somewhere he bought a house back in the team Yamaha days. I hope he has managed to hold onto it seeing as though he bought back in the "high market" and all of his medical expenses and whatnot.
I hope Josh does good but i don't think he will last all season his past injuries have caught up to him.
Mxbob, don't forget Jim McMahon and Brett Farve. The Vikings would take any washed-up quarterback for cheap in hopes of a miracle.
@rickamatuzio, lets add Wade Wilson and "494" Tommy Kramer (known for hitting the bars on I-494 during his playing days, even before games).
Not trying to stir the pot here but... does the morning news of Suzuki (automotive division) filing for Chapter 11 concern anybody as to the depth of commitment Suzuki may have in the near future with their motorcycle division and their racing programs.
Just a thought...
PS Go Josh and RC4
@caseypons, the bankruptcy is related to the company’s automotive division in the US. The company found it simply could not compete here with its models and is pulling the plug on its auto sales and development. The bankruptcy is to discharge the debts related to the US obligations. Per Suzuki, it intends to “focus on motorcycle and ATV sales since motorcycle sales was the genesis of the company and its previous sales success” as its new mantra.
Let's see...........shuttering their multi-title winning ATV-MX team, mass layoffs / dismissals @ U.S. 'Zook-Brea, losing DeCoster, losing Dungey, handing their MX operations over to Yoshimura................I did not see this coming.
Is it time to start calling them "The big three" yet???
Who the heck is running Suzuki anyways, Nell???