Justin Hill heeft zopas een meer jarig contract ondertekend met het AutoTrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team. Hill is regerend supercross kampioen in de 250 west klasse, en leek op weg om in 2018 de overstap naar de 450 categorie te gaan maken. Uiteindelijk heeft Hill dus toch gekozen om zijn titel in de 250 klasse te verdedigen, en in 2019 uiteindelijk samen met het AutoTrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team de stap richting de 450 klasse te zetten.
Justin Hill: Het is een eer om deel te kunnen uitmaken van het Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team. Ik ken (team manager) Jeremy Albrecht al een tijdje, en ik heb altijd al veel respect gehad voor het JGRMX team. Ik stond dan ook helemaal versteld na de rondleiding die ik kreeg door het team zijn hoofdkantoor in Huntersville, N.C. Het is geweldig om te zien dat zij zoveel tijd en geld investeren in het vinden van oplossingen in een poging om zo een competitieve voorsprong te creëren. Ik wist onmiddellijk dat ik bij dit team wilde horen.
(Team manager) Jeremy Albrecht: Het is geweldig dat Justin Hill in 2018 en de jaren erna de fabrieks inspanningen van het team zal vertegenwoordigen. Justin is een fenomenaal talent. Hij heeft ongelofelijke mogelijkheden met een motor, en hij is dan ook het uithangbord van ons 250 team. Naarmate ik Justin heb leren kennen ben ik ook onder de indruk geraakt door zijn professionele houding. Het Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team verwacht overwinningen, en om ons daarbij te helpen heb ik veel vertrouwen in Justin Hill. Zijn CV spreekt voor zichzelf.
Volledig persbericht
The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team is proud to announce the signing of Justin Hill for the 2018-’19 supercross/motocross seasons.
Justin Hill will be an integral part of Suzuki’s intensified focus in the 250 class for 2018. The Yoncalla, Ore. native captured the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250 Western regional title in dominating fashion, winning four main events and never finishing outside of the top five. In fact, Hill has been exceptional indoors since turning Pro in 2013 – seven main event wins, 16 podium finishes, and 23 top-five Supercross performances in 36 races. Injuries have hampered Justin the past two years in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship series; however, the amiable 22-year-old has amassed 17 top-ten National finishes when healthy.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing effort. I have known [team manager] Jeremy Albrecht for a while now, and have always respected the JGRMX program,” stated Justin Hill. “I was blown away after taking a tour of the team’s headquarters in Huntersville, N.C. It’s amazing how they invest so much time and money into finding solutions in an effort to gain a competitive edge. I knew immediately that I needed to be involved with them.”
Justin Hill is no stranger to Suzuki, having raced on an RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 as an amateur in 2010. Hill explained, “I won my first big bike championship on a Suzuki and have fond memories of the brand. Comfort on the bike, as well as confidence in the team, are crucial to a rider’s success. JGR expressed their faith by offering me a multi-year deal that extends into the 450 class. I’m looking forward to defending my 250 West Supercross title on the Suzuki RM-Z250, making a big push outdoors in what will be my last year in the 250 class, and then taking the pathway up to the 450 class with JGRMX in 2019.”
Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing team manager Jeremy Albrecht is thrilled to have Justin Hill representing the team’s factory effort for 2018 and beyond. “Justin is a phenomenal talent. He has incredible ability on a motorcycle and is the cornerstone of our 250 program. In getting to know Justin, I’m also impressed with his professionalism and demeanor.” Albrecht continued, “The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team expects to win races, and I have the utmost confidence in Justin. His resume speaks for itself.”
Suzuki is very enthusiastic about the signing of Justin Hill. “With this news it should be obvious that Suzuki and JGR are committed to competing at the highest level in 250 racing,” commented Chris Wheeler, MX Manager at Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. “The team has already logged an incredible amount of hours during pre-season testing. Engineers from both Suzuki Japan and Yoshimura have come together at the JGRMX headquarters as part of the new formation that has solidified JGRMX as Suzuki’s factory effort.”
The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team will make its 250 debut at the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in Anaheim, Calif. on January 6th, 2018