Josh Hill finished out his amateur career on a high note, taking two AMA Amateur Championships at Loretta Lynn’s in 2006. He didn’t have much time to celebrate, however – he jumped straight into a factory Yamaha contract to race AMA Motocross Lites for the remainder of the 2006 season, and contest the Supercross Lites and Motocross Lites championships in 2007. He only made two quick stops; one to pick up a coveted Toyota sponsorship (which comes with a free truck and free promotion, among other things), and again to snag the AMA’s 2006 Horizon Award, given to the most promising amateur who is moving into the pro ranks.
In mere weeks, Josh was back on the track at the Millville round of the AMA Motocross Nationals, and although he was only able to muster 22nd overall at Millville, he came back with a vengeance in the next round at Broome-Tioga, where he went 2/5 for 3rd overall.
Getting on the podium at only his second race as a professional is likely a sign of things to come for Josh Hill, and we think Yamaha has scored a coup by signing one of the most promising amateurs to turn pro in the last several years. Next year, expect to see Hill up front, battling it out with other recent arrivals from the amateur ranks — guys who wear names like Alessi, Hepler, and Villopoto on their jerseys.
