Colorado native Bill Osthoff has been riding motorcycles since he was 7 years old, and while he
is now in his 70’s, still rides today. Bill’s racing career began in 1968, when he advanced from
Novice to Expert level in just five months, and his experience since includes Motocross,
Supercross, Flat Track, and Hare Scramble events, as well as Enduros, Ice Racing, Poker Runs
and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. In 50 years of competition, his major accomplishments include
three consecutive 250cc Pro Colorado Motocross Championships, four first place finishes in the
Pikes Peak Hill Climb Snow Runs, and the 2005 Sportsriders Association of Colorado Rider of the
Year Award. Bill has two career accomplishments he is most proud of: A 24 hour Enduro on
Labor Day 1968 at Coal Creek Raceways, where he placed second in the most challenging race
he can remember, and The New Year's Day 1977 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. He was first overall to
the Top of the Mountain, where the temperature was 40 below zero!
In addition to his racing success, Bill was selected by the Yamaha Motor Corporation as a
research and development rider for one of their prototype bikes, and his expertise led to
inclusion in two motion pictures: CC and Company, starring Joe Namath and Ann Margaret, and
Bruce Brown’s On Any Sunday, which received an Academy Award for Best Documentary
Feature of 1972. He was also part of the formation of the Rampart Range Riders, a group that
assisted search and rescue effort in Douglas County.
Bill has been a Sportsriders Association of Colorado member since its inception in the late
1960’s until it merged with the Rocky Mountain Motocross Association in 2017. In his capacity
with these organizations, he has been a tireless promotor of motorcycling and competition.
When he wasn’t on the track, or watching his son or daughter race,, or watching his son or daughter race, he could be found providing assistance to other riders, using his mechanical knowledge and ingenuity to help other riders fix
their bikes and get them to the starting line. As a competitor, Bill always displayed genuine
sportsmanship, even when bike problems took him out or age took over; saying you can't
always win but you can always participate. This sportsmanship is one of the reasons at the age
of 54 he was nominated by his peers and won the SRAC Rider of the Year award. He would like
to be remembered as an ambassador to the sport; enthusiast, rider, club official, and now he
will now also be remembered as a member of the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Bill passed away in May, 2024.
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