A rider who almost needs no introduction is past AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Josh Hayes who joins the Yamaha family for the first time in 2009.

Known as one of the most fierce competitors on the race track, Josh will compete in the American Superbike class on the all new crossplane-crankshaft R1 prepared by Yamaha Factory Racing. He will also compete in the Daytona 200 on the Graves-prepared championship winning R6.

By winning the Formula Xtreme Championship 2 out of the last 3 years, Josh has made a full return to form from serious injuries suffered at the season opening Daytona round in the 2000 season. Starting his road racing career at 19, Josh made a quick ascension up the ranks. After winning his first three WERA titles in 1994 and numerous others in the next 4 years, he made his AMA pro debut in 1999 where he won the 750 Supersport race in Daytona and finished 3rd in the Formula Xtreme class for the season. Riding injured for most of the 2000 Formula Xtreme season, Josh still finished 3rd. The extensive hand injury carried into the 2001 season where he finished 5th in the Formula Xtreme and 600 Supersport classes. Just as Josh was getting up to speed in the 2002 season, he seriously injured his hand in an early season crash and missed the remainder of the year. The 2003 season saw Josh finally healthy enough to fight for a title and he won the AMA 750 Superstock Championship. The 2004 and 2005 seasons saw Josh compete in the Superbike class where he gained valuable experience prior to his back-to-back Championship Formula Xtreme Titles in 2006 and 2007.

The 2008 season saw Josh finish second in Formula Xtreme and pose a serious challenge to Ben Bostrom in the Supersport class. For 2009, it was no secret that Josh wished to return to the Superbike class for another shot at the title. After overcoming much adversity in his ascension, he finally gets that chance beginning at the season-opening Daytona Beach round.