75 Josh Hill

Josh Hill is one of the few highly talented racers to be pulled straight out of the amateur ranks and into the highly coveted position of a “factory” motocross racer. The nineteen-year-old Oregon native was picked up by Factory Yamaha in 2006, and has since proven his worth during his blossoming career.

For 2006, Hill raced a limited outdoor schedule that would allow him to get his feet wet in the pro ranks. Hill did not disappoint, and in his first moto at Binghamton, New York, track, he raced to a remarkable second place. He would follow that up with a fifth in the second moto to claim third overall for the day. Hill was also awarded the AMA Horizon Award, presented to the best graduating racer. Such a start is a rarity in the sport, and Hill definitely staked his claim as one of motocross’s most promising rookie racers.

In 2007, Hill selected to race in the West Coast Supercross Lites class and once again showed serious success. He earned two podiums for the season; one at the second Anaheim Supercross and the Seattle race. Hill’s consistent finishes at the front of the pack put him in third overall for the season. Although Hill did not claim any victories, he seemed to be on his way and ready for the outdoors. However, the 2007 Motocross Lites season was tough for Hill. The small-bore Yamaha YZ250F did not seem to be potent enough for Hill’s larger stature, and he struggled to show the same success he had during his 2006 campaign. One season and three top-tens later, Hill ended up in fifteenth overall for the series.

He undoubtedly needed a change for the 2008 Supercross series and it came in the form of the class he chose to ride. Surprisingly, Hill bumped up to the premier class, where he would race a Yamaha YZ450F. Such a move for a young racer is rare, but Hill proved that it was the right choice. He would win his first ever race at the Minneapolis Supercross race, and claimed six top fives on his way to fifth overall. Now a solid contender in the most prestigious class, Hill seems bound for motocross stardom as a future champion. John Leonard