60 Broc Hepler

Broc Hepler’s pro career has been one of major success stories, and unfortunate injuries. The promising amateur rider from Pennsylvania was plucked straight into the pro ranks by the factory Suzuki team, and raced the last three outdoor nationals of the 2003 season. He would finish with respectable top fifteen finishes that were an encouraging sign for his future.

His rookie year was no disappointment for Hepler, as he dived headfirst into the East Coast Supercross series. His two second-place finishes were enough to give him second overall in his first Supercross season ever. The outdoors were also successful, as he took six podiums on his way to another second overall in the final point standings. He also took the prestigious AMA Rookie of the Year award, another sign of his growing skills.

The 2005 season was filled with ups and downs for Hepler. Although he was forced to race a limited schedule in the West Coast Supercross series, he did take his Makita Suzuki to a win in Phoenix. He ended the season in ninth overall. The motocross season was much more successful, as he claimed two overall wins, along with three podiums. He earned sixth overall for the end of the season.

The following year was a tough one for Hepler. He missed the entire Supercross season due to an untimely injury, but bounced back for the outdoors. Hepler would earn three wins and two podiums on his way to another sixth overall standing in the final points despite missing basically the whole first half of the championship.

For 2007, Hepler would leave his longtime home under the Suzuki awning and head to the Factory Yamaha semi. Before his season could even start, though, he suffered a serious head injury that would force him to miss the Supercross series again, and race a limited outdoor schedule. Upon his return, he earned a podium finish, and raced to one moto win for the season.

The 2008 Supercross series was again a tough one for Hepler, as he would miss three rounds due to another injury. However, he was able to earn two podiums, and salvage a respectable eighth place in the final standings. Hepler also bounced back to win the inaugural Navy Moto X World Championships in San Diego, California. John Leonard