Andrew Short of Team Chaparral Honda has landed top 5 finishes in both SX and MX since 2005. Highly regarded as one of the most friendliest and approachable racers on the AMA circuit his "time of day for anyone" persona has him adored by both race teams and fans alike.
The clean cut, hardworking 450SX rider was unfortunately sidelined for almost half of the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross rounds due to an injury incurred. Short made an impressive comeback in his first race after injury, placing 5th and then went on to take the overall win in the following round at Seattle before, ending in 13th overall for the 2012 AMA Supercross season.
He then continued to improve in the outdoors, although battling sickness for most of the MX he soldiered on through to rank 4th overall, just 1 point shy of 3rd place's Jake Weimer.
A serious threat in the AMA field Andrew currently sits in 7th position tied with reigning #1 SX Champion Ryan Villopoto. We chat with the likeable character about his results, past disappointment's and of course Family life.
Fullnoise: Shorty your'e tied in 7th, currently contesting the pointy end of the field. What are your thoughts on the position you are sitting in for the season so far and heading into A2?
Short: Yeah the 2013 season has gone decent. I definitely in terms of results would have hoped for a little better, but the depth of the field is so deep right now that you can't really get too greedy.
So I'm happy with the position I'm in, I feel like my speed and a lot of the elements to get good results are there right now.
I need to get a little better on my starts and be faster in practice, a few little things to work on but definilty overall it's decent and I'm pretty happy
Fullnoise: Have you and the Chaparral Honda Team spent much time focusing on testing and bike adjustments in the little time you have available between race meets?
Short: Honestly once the season gets started it's more or less maintaining what you have and I think the biggest adjustments that I need to make are in my head, mentally. So I am trying to prepare myself that way.
I mean I feel good coming into this week, I am pretty optimistic and you never really know how things are going to go come race day until the gate drops. It's kinda of a way that whatever is going to happen is going to happen.
Fullnoise: A string of bad luck in the form of an injury had you sidelined for almost half of the 2012 Monster Energy Supercross series, you then went on to battle a sickness for the majority of the outdoors. How do you switch off from past dissapoinments to attempt a solid season for 2013?
Short: Yeah I think that is the beauty of having an off season and being able to kind of regroup and come in fresh. So I feel like coming into 2013 we are going to hit the reset button and try to put all of that behind us.
Obviously every year there's going to be a lot of things that are going to pop up and it's all how you adjust and deal with them I think. Last year was a difficult season, but I feel like 2013 we are really hopeful to minimise all these heartaches, stay positive and focus on what is in front of us at the moment.
Fullnoise: You had your first race in 1987 aged 5, now 30yrs old that is an incredible 25years of racing! How do you remain hungry and keep the fun alive?
Short: When your 5 obviously you're doing it for fun and don't really get too serious until you're actually making a pay check I guess!
But for me riding dirt bikes has always been fun and anything on two wheels I always love to do so I think having fun is never really a question.
It's more about trying to better yourself as an individual and as an athlete and enjoying the moment that you're in. I think if you're not happy or you're not having fun then maybe it's time to hang up your boots and move onto something that you do enjoy.
Fullnoise: Having two young cubs yourself, can we see them debuting on the Motocross circuit anytime soon following in the early racing footsteps of Dad?
Short: I hope not! (laughs) Honestly I am hoping that they play tennis or golf or something! (laughs)
I don't know if I could handle them in racing. Obviously having kids is an amazing thing and they've changed my life and if they want to race motorcycles then more power to them. We live on a farm in Texas so they are always around bikes, scooters, quads, so lots of motorised things all the time.
Fullnoise: Being a proud Father does this affect the way you approach racing now, compared to previously when you didn't have kids and Family life?
Short: Na!! I mean once the gate drops you're not really focused on anything but whats in front of you and thats the beauty of it.
It can clear you're head really fast and that's a big part of the fun. You kind of get in a zone and you just doing your own thing on a bike.
Fullnoise: Be honest, any weird rituals or habits like gloves vs goggles on first, rabbits feet or avoiding ladders?
Short: (Laughs) I'm not like that! I always pray before I race in the truck to calm my mind.
But I don't have any rituals or habits or anything like that!! (laughs)
Fullnoise: Cheers Shorty all the best for A2
Top Image: Andrew Short speaks to Gina at the A2 Media day.
Credit: Gina Cleaver
