Nathan Prebe Captures 2016 AMA Hillclimb Racer Of The Year

Eighteen-year-old Nathan Prebe of Frontenac, Minn., captured three AMA National Championships and took home the coveted AMA Hillclimb Racer of the Year Award for 2016.

Prebe won the 250cc, 450cc and Four-Stroke national championships. He also captured the King of the Hill Award — a one-run competition among the 10 fastest riders of the weekend at the end of the program on Sunday.

“Hillclimb racers from all corners made their way to Illinois to prove that they were the fastest and most tenacious racer in their class,” said AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant. “Nathan dominated the competition this year, and the AMA congratulates him on earning the highly sought-after AMA Hillclimb Racer of the Year Award.”

Lane Brookshaw, 8, of Ellsworth, Wis., secured the 2016 AMA Youth Hillclimb Racer of the Year Award thanks to his performance over the weekend. He took home AMA National Championships in the Micro Mini and 65cc classes.

“It means a lot to me,” said Brookshaw who’s been racing for four years. “It was a surprise.”

He hopes to continue working on his points for AMA Districts 16 and 23.

Senior class champion Junior Jackson, 44, of Bettendorf, Iowa, clinched the AMA Vet/Senior Hillclimb Racer of the Year Award.

Jackson said he has been building engines for hillclimb competition for several years and doing suspension work, but just started racing himself in 2012.

“I guess when I was a kid and won amateur titles at Loretta’s in motocross [at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship], I didn’t think I’d win another title at 44,” Jackson said. “It’s neat to be able to win one at this age, and you probably appreciate it a little bit more. I’m looking forward to doing more hillclimbs.”