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75Josh 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
 
Many racers have had successful amateur careers, but few have topped Josh Hill. As a Yamaha support rider, Hill tore through the amateur ranks and left little opportunities for other competitors to beat him. In 1999, he started his dominance, claiming his first Loretta Lynn’s title. In all, Hill has won in the 65cc Stock (7-9) class, 85cc Stock and Modified classes, the 125 Stock and Modified classes, the 125 B class and the Motocross Lites A and Pro Sport classes, for a total of nine Loretta Lynn’s Championships.
In 2006, his final year in the amateur ranks, Hill was awarded the highly touted AMA Horizon Award. The award is given to the best graduating racer leaving the amateur classes, beating out friendly rival Ryan Dungey. John Leonard
CAREER SPAN: 2006-Present
BIRTH DATE: 07/30/1989
HEIGHT: 5' 11"`
WEIGHT: 185 lbs.
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Clackamas, OR, United States
RESIDENCE: Temecula, CA
TEAM: San Manuel Yamaha
TEAM MANAGER: Larry Brooks
MECHANIC: Chris Rhodes
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