Thank you for the memories Shorty!
Thank you for the memories Shorty!
 |
|
Short spent the majority of the last three years with the BTO Sports KTM team. |
Photos: Simon Cudby and Andrew Fredrickson
It all has to come to an end for every athlete in every sport and this time around it’s Andrew Short’s turn. Take it all in folks. We only have one hour plus four laps remaining in Shorty’s illustrious career.
This weekend’s race at the Ironman national will be an emotional rollercoaster full of tears and sadness, and I’m just talking about our own Moser! I can only imagine how bittersweet it will be for Andrew. Ever since he burst onto the scene with his first wide-eyed win at the 2003 Las Vegas Supercross, Short has been one of the most underrated athletes our sport has seen. This is all in MY opinion of course.
When you look at the numbers he’s racked up as well as who he has ridden for his career has been more than impressive. He’s ridden for Motoworld Suzuki, Factory Honda, Factory Red Bull KTM, Chaparral Honda, and the BTO Sports KTM team in his years as a professional and you’ll find a rundown of his accomplishments listed below.
2000 –
National # -931
13-24=17th overall – Pro Debut Steel City
Overall- 42nd MX
2001 – 24th 125 West and 32nd 125MX
National # – 79
Podiums – 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 0
Top Tens- 1
2002 – Motoworld Suzuki – Mixture of 125 East (14th overall)/West (24th overall) and 15th125MX
National # – 69
Podiums – 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 1
Top Tens – 6
2003 – Motoworld Suzuki – 125 West (3rd overall)/250SX (30th overall) and 11th 125MX
National # – 41
Podiums- 3
Wins – 1
Top Fives – 8
Top Tens- 12
2004 – Motoworld Suzuki – 125 West (7th overall)/250SX (17th overall) and 34th 125MX
National # – 32
Podiums- 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 3
Top Tens- 9
2005 – Factory Honda – 125 West (3rd overall)/250SX (22nd overall) and 2nd 125MX
National # – 51
Podiums- 11
Wins – 2
Top Fives – 14
Top Tens- 18
*Class Names Change
2006 – Factory Honda – 2nd 250SX West and 4th 250MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 10
Wins – 5
Top Fives – 14
Top Tens- 18
2007 – Factory Honda – 16th 450SX and 3rd MX
National # – 29
Podiums – 4
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 15
Top Tens- 16
-Shorty finished in the top ten at every race he entered in 2007 after returning from injury at the Indianapolis supercross.
2008 – Factory Honda – 3rd 450SX and 3rd MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 10
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 21
Top Tens- 26
2009 – Factory Honda – 3rd 450SX and 2nd MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 6
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 19
Top Tens- 27
2010 – Factory Honda – 3rd 450SX and 12th MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 7
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 16
Top Tens- 19
 |
|
Short with Red Bull KTM in 2011. |
2011 – Factory Red Bull KTM – 8th 450SX and 6th MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 6
Top Tens- 2
 |
|
Winner, winner chicken dinner. Seattle 2012. |
2012 – Chaparral Honda – 4th 450SX and 13th MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 4
Wins – 1
Top Fives – 9
Top Tens- 19
2013 – BTO Sports KTM – 7th 450SX and 7th MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 2
Top Tens- 24
2014 – BTO Sports KTM – 6th 450SX and 6th MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 6
Top Tens- 26
 |
|
It’s been real Mr. Short! |
2015 – BTO Sports KTM – 9th 450SX and 20th MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 3
Top Tens- 11
2016 – BTO Sports KTM – 28th 450SX and ? MX
National # – 29
Podiums- 0
Wins – 0
Top Fives – 0
Top Tens- 4
-Through Budd’s Creek-
Total Career:
Points: 6,537
Podiums- 49
Wins – 9
Top Fives – 141
Top Tens- 238
 |
|
Short in 2009 on his Factory Honda. |
My math should be totally correct on all of Shorty’s accomplishments. It’s quite amazing to see just how many amazing numbers he has put up over the past 16 years. Those top five and podium numbers just don’t lie. One thing that I did not factor in these stats is individual moto scores. I just did the overall finishes from the nationals. Had I factored those in then his podium numbers could quite possibly double.
It’s crazy to see how far he came from his first years as a pro to his debut with factory Honda in 2005. He became a powerhouse on his 450 Honda! It’s also cool to look back on how consistent Andrew was through the years. For a span of six straight series, Short finished on the podium in the final standings. That span was of course from the 2007 motocross season to the 2010 supercross season. It could have been more had he not have been forced out of the 2007 supercross series because of injury. This is the good stuff folks. He’s one of the best starters this sport has ever seen and even revolutionized the third gear start!
Short isn’t just a great rider because of results. The majority of his success has been about his personality off of the bike. He’s always been a true professional and an incredible advocate for our sport to have. He’s always given his time to the fans and they appreciate him for that fact. His old website was always up to date and very professional with hours of videos that he filmed and edited every weekend at the races. Heck, he even signed a life contract with Fly Racing for goodness sakes. It’s a brand he’s worn since the beginning, which has come through the ranks, just like Short. Another great thing about Shorty is that he’s never burned bridges in his career, which is a pretty rare feat.
Overall, Shorty has had a dream career that any rider would wish to have. He won in each class and is up on the list of one of the most consistent riders our sport has seen. From my perspective it’s hard to watch him exit the sport. I’ve been watching Short race pro since I was ten years old and it’s going to be weird not seeing him out there. When he won Seattle in 2012 I felt like I won when he crossed the finish line! With that being said, I’m glad that I have the chance to witness his last race live in person.
That’s right, I will be there to see his last moto and that’s something I can bring to the table with me whenever I bench race in the future. I saw Andrew Short’s last race in person, try to beat that!
Thank you for all of the memorable races over the years Mr. Short. You are a great role model and this sport is better with you having been a part of it. Congratulations on all of your success and good luck in your next adventure!
Thanks for reading my column. If you would like to share your favorite Andrew Short memory with me, or anything else, please email me at troy@pulpmx.com.
