5 Minutes With ... Andrew Short
Monday, October 3, 2011 | 5:00 PM
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Andrew Short’s 2012 racing plans are now known—he’s the first rider to join the much-rumored-about Larry Brooks/Jeremy McGrath Honda team. This puts Shorty back on the CRF450R he loved so much. Most of the team details are still being worked out, and even Shorty doesn’t know about sponsors or a potential teammate. We rang him up to find out what he does know.
Racer X Online: Explain what is happening here. You have a ride set for next year.
Andrew Short: Well, first off, I’m departing Red Bull and KTM, and I want to thank those guys. They’re a good bunch of people, and I had a lot of fun over there, especially with Frankie [Latham] my mechanic. It was a good year, but I’m really excited to go back to Honda to work with some old and some new people. It’s a great bike and I’m looking forward to getting some holeshots again. And I’m looking forward to working with Larry and Jeremy. Jeremy was always my hero growing up, and still is to this day, and Larry, who has been very successful in the past.
Short returns to Honda for 2012.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
We’ve heard rumors about this team for a long time. Larry Brooks and Jeremy McGrath are running it, but you will have factory Honda support?
Yeah, Honda has a big role in this team. For me, I kind of know how this program works. I rode Hondas for six years, and I believe it’s the best bike out there. That was a key element. And Jeremy’s relationship with Honda is very close, so it goes hand in hand that he would work with them, and I have a relationship with Honda as well. I can continue where I left off.
The first thing people are going to think when they hear Brooks and McGrath running a team is, “That’s going to be a supercross-only team!” Is that true or not?
No. They are committed to both, supercross and outdoors. That was one of the first questions I asked as well, motocross is obviously very important to me. Colorado is one of my favorite events of the year, and the whole motocross series is great. I think they recognize the fact that it’s a big part of racing, for their sponsors, the team and the goals they want to achieve.
You broke your elbows at the end of the summer. Are you even able to ride right now? And what does this say about this team, to hire you anyway even though you ended the year injured?
No, I can’t ride right now, I need a few more weeks. I should be able to ride supercross the first of November, so I’ll have two months to get ready. I think they’ve seen what I’ve accomplished in the past, and those two are some of the best coaches in the business. I think they can help me get to the next level, and I think they recognize that if I get back on the 450, they believe I can make that last step. Honestly, I haven’t been at the same level as the guys who have been winning, as far as speed. I honestly believe in my heart and my mind that Larry and Jeremy can help take me to another level, and try to get some wins. Eventually the goal is a championship, but you can’t even think about a championship until you win a race—and there are five guys right now who are incredibly fast, and I need to go to another level to win races against them.
Short is the first rider on the new Brooks/McGrath Team.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
How much do even know about the team? Do you know if there will be a teammate? Do you know much?
Basically, all I care about is, I want to work with my hero, Jeremy, and Larry, who, I don’t even know how many championships he’s won, but I know it’s a lot. Next to Mitch Payton, he’s one of the most successful team managers in the sport. And I know what I’m getting with factory Honda bikes—you can’t get any better. That’s all I cared about and that’s about all I know about the team right now. I’m getting older, and I need to do everything I can do to make myself better as an athlete. I think this team gives me the opportunity to do that.
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I feel a little like Lloyd Christmas here... "I got robbed by a little old lady on a motorized cart- I didn't even see it coming."
to bad he didn't ride on the ktm 450... But I think this was a good choice! Hope to see him win races, great guy
Well.... Brooks is a scumbag.... But Supermac is Supermac..... this team will go places.
Shorty likes this bike and you can tell he feels confident- things will go good for him this year
Go Shorty, congrats! hope ya heal up fast.......
first off i, am glad it is sx and mx team. and for a first year team effort, hiring shorty isnt bad at all.
He really needs to step it up, He does not have many years left to get that win. I would like to see him get an SX win but I don't think it will happen. 2012 could be better then 2011... come on A1!!!!
Yes! He will be a force to be reckoned with on the honda, not my favorite bike, but I know he likes it, and will dominate the holeshot arena once again!
And hopefully win some races, and shake up the sx, and mx
series.
Go Shorty!!
Great interview Weege, can't imagine how nervous you were talking to Shorty a real class act that guy. Also don't forget about that favor I requested T-9.
"It’s a great bike and I’m looking forward to getting some holeshots again." ouch KTM, that must have stung a little
I like shorty, but man you got RV, RD, JS, CR, TC, and maybe Josh Hill all running some speedy laps.
At least now he has a chance to be top 5
A pretty conclusive hardcore pissing on KTM.
Glad to see Shorty back on something competitive. The way I see it, Honda is going to have their factory team (Canard & Brayton) and two factory-supported teams (Team TwoTwo & the Brooks/McGrath team). Potential for there to be six Hondas in a 20-man SX main. Interesting.
"I believe it’s the best bike out there" ... so I guess if he doesn't make top 5 then there will be only one place left to look...
I really like the guy and wish him the best with the new team, but i don't see him moving very far up the results page.........being back on a 450 will help, but so would having been on a KTM 450........i honestly hope i'm wrong....best of luck Andrew!!
You don't think the KTM's are "competitive" suspect_chicken?? Really?? He finished about where he could have been expected to finish in SX with a stacked field, on a 350......if he just likes the Honda better then ok, but the KTM is a competitive bike, i think we are going to see that in the coming year in both classes!!
As long as he's been off the bike, I wouldn't put Josh Hill in the same level as "The 5" for even a single lap in 2012 SX, but I'd like to be proven wrong.
It's good that Shorty is realistic about his speed, in comparison to the guys who won last year. He knows what he needs to do, but can he do it? I don't think it was too much of a knock on KTM to think a 450 will get better starts than a 350.
"Hey Andrew, how do you think Dungey will do on a KTM? What do you see as the upsides and downsides of his move?".... would have liked to see that question thrown in...
Great News about Shorty he is a class act and deserves better than what he got at KTM...Easy top 5 guy and good for P.R. A great catch for the new LB & MC team they should be good right out of the gate.
Looks like less honda support money is going to go to Chad Reed. Gee, that Suzuki is looking better every day.
Short's riding style works best with the honda. Just like KW. We will really see how well the KTM works with RD on it. If he wins and is fighting for 1st all year then GO KTM, if not then we all know the truth. Me? I want a 350, ele. start, hydo clutch and not as much to man handle around. It would be a great bike in the +30 class at local races.
good luck Andrew glad to see u back on a good bike
Little bit of a surprise on this one....Last week it was reported by RX that all signs indicated Short was staying with KTM....that was a better kept secret than Dungey...KTM is stacked with riders, maybe too many riders to handle if that makes sense...so they probably couldnt afford Short any longer or offer him what he wanted....good to see Shorty back on the Honda...always root for Shorty, but I think he'll be in the 4th, 5th, 6th area on a regulare basis....but thats good if McBrooks Racing lands Stewart.....
If Shorty had wicked it up a bit on that 350 and rode it like a 250 he may have done better, he`s a 450 guy, the 350 was never going to work with him riding it, still good news though, best of of luck with the new venture Shorty.
It sounds like he's got a little fire in his belly right now, which is a good thing. I agree w/ some of the others on here, on his best day he might contend for a podium but...he'll be a top five guy indoors--but I'm excited to see him outdoors. Me thinks he'll be a constant contender for the podium and possibly a win or two outdoors. He sounds excited to be back on the Honda and I believe it'll show come 2012.
Shorty is back on the Honda, well, I dont see any wins coming just because the competetion is so fierce and fast. But I do see a few holeshots in his future again.
Well. you can tell Shorty was pissed and wanted to ride a 450 but they gave him same crap they gave alessi last yr. You sign a 350 contract only. This should be scary news to Dungey. I heard there are some shocking news at Kawasaki. I hope RV is staying but may be they have landed JS or a new rider.
bd200 WTF would you know about shorts speed,you think womens mx is "so awesome" how many pro results do you have? shorty is off that ktm thats all.
Ya Shorty!! Back on a good bike. Great company and backing is always a plus... I have faith the pre KTM short is still alive! GO SHORT
im pretty sure dungey wil be on a 450 i dont think he's that stupid. Man in the last 2 years that 350 has only produced mediocre results i doubt anyone wil be racing that bike this year
Man you americans are stupid!!!!! You are bashing the KTM 350 and the KTM brand all the time! And to the ppl and A. Short that is saying that the 350 cant pull off holeshots, you are totaly wrong Andrew Short is just too slow, and there is too many faster guys out there right now. Now he's on a honda again and he will ble that same solid top 10 guy. In europe Cairoli pulls the holeshots often. And to the brand KTM in Europe KTM is winning everything. I think RD5 is on one of the best bikes on the gate and defenitely in the best team. The red bull KTM factory team is IMO the best team in MX. Just wait when Ken Roczen gets top 3 in sx and brings home the outdoor championchip.
I seriously belive that team KTM will be the new (pc-team) in booth classes... Just look at the people in the team, the riders... And personaly i guess its doesn,t mather witch brand you are sitting on when it is a clean workbike... They all runs like hell..... MXA-crew tested m.nagl ktm sxf woks 450 2010 and with just a 4 speed box, they were really impressed...
@motofinne Isn't it common knowledge that the GP biles have different rules than the AMA? Over here we are led to beleive that the GP bikes wouldn't pass an AMA inspection. I must admit, I'm not sure but it would appear that the 350's they race over there have some help in the power dept. which would explain the difference in how they can get those good starts over there but have lackluster starts over here. Alessi has had some good starts for sure, but not a domination thing by any means. And he is considered a holeshot sort of guy.
1) I like Shorty. Always have. But I also think Team McBrooks didnt have much to choose from. So Andrew's reputation & holeshot ability will make him ONE of the best picks of the un-signed riders. Two broken elbows (ouch!) seems like a lot to overcome though. And after he's fully healed (is this possible?) then he still has to step up to the 'top 5' level. I hope he proves me wrong!
2) I like his thinking "Honda is the best bike out there". I've always owned Honda's & they are the best bike! Bring it Andrew!
good for Andrew to get back on a Honda, I hope he does well. and I'm sick of hearing how the KTMs are so great, and the best team, etc. they've NEVER even podiumed in the 450 class here. The pressure's definately on them in 2012. According to some on here, anyone on a bike that's not orange will be lucky to land on the podium. RV1 is gonna laugh all the way to 2 more championships, mark my words, unless Stewart can spoil it somehow on a yellow or red bike.
I wonder if Grant will end up next to Short on the McBrooks Team.....or could they possibly be trying to wrangle Mr. Stewart.....Pulpboy Matthes indicated Reed is still going to be on the Honda as well....so Honda will have quite the presence out there on the 450's....Reed, Canard, Brayton, Short, Windham, Alessi???? Grant????.....and if Mr. Stewart goes Red, then you could have top 5 sweeps with Hondas.....it could happen....will it.....Could the reason Fish got let go at Kawasaki mean the return of JS7 to Kawasaki?????
JS7 to Larry Brooks team? Did some of you really say that?
Trend Killer. I am about 99% sure Alessi will be Yellow next year.
So McGrath is part of the " Monster" family...... Short was a Red Bull and is now with McBrooks.....and JS7 is a Red Bull.....I would assume the McBrooks team would be a " Monster" Honda team considering MC's realtionship..... Reed is rumored to be a Rockstar and keeping his Hondas.....so you could potentially have a Rockstar Honda, Monster Honda, Monster Kawasaki........then Red Bull KTM.....
yellowrider207 People are sick of people saying KTM has never podiumed in the 450 class because there no good.... Tell me one guy who has raced a KTM that has EVER podiumed on ANY brand. ...You can't because they have NEVER had a top guy on there team till now. So what ya say we give RD a chance to get on the podium before we say there junk. I think RD will be fine but for sure has a LOT of work to do and it will take some time. So I would not be surprised to see the first 4 or 5 races of 2012 with no top 3's..Not because the bike is no good but because of the learning curve for RD. He said he will not race it till A1. U can ride all you want but things change when the gate drops.
Bill C-- Indeed....Sounds like he is racing a Suzuki at Monster Cup....but who knows what will happen after that......I think its possible Alessi may be on his own team....they (his dad) has pretty much worn out their welcome everywhere.....so who knows......
Bill C-- Indeed....Sounds like he is racing a Suzuki at Monster Cup....but who knows what will happen after that......I think its possible Alessi may be on his own team....they (his dad) has pretty much worn out their welcome everywhere.....so who knows......
ooop's ment won on any other brand.
I kinda thought Alessi and Reed might team up. There was some Reed Suzuki rumers floting around too.
Wow, Mikey did pretty well the last time he was on a 'zook!! Of course that WAS prior to RD and RV joining the 450 class!! Does JS really not have his deal worked out yet, or are they just keeping a lid on it still?? Oct. 15th is closing in quick!!
Based on the twitter-a-thon....in the last few hours it seems Mike Fisher is out at Kawasaki and JS7 is testing a Suzuki right this very second.....whacky world of sports...
If he is healthy, short will pull a few holeshots and finish 6-10th. He is a good PR guy though and will be a good person for the new team.
As for KTM- I really do not think Dungey is going to be able to win in SX on that bike.... just dont see it. Come outdoors- yes he will have a better opportunity to win.
No need talking about Alessi until the outdoors next year as he will stil have the same problem as before in sx as the he goes through the whoops like a 50cc racer- or crashes trying to go faster.
Why would Kaw Can fish??
yellowrider, KTM HAS been on the podium in the U.S.
Not only on the podium but moto wins as well. Mike Alessi 2007.
Its still a secret..The JS7 bike has black plastic. Still cant determine what brand. Hes looking fast from the road
This just in. Kawasaki Got Tony Alessi to run the team, They hope he can take them to the next level!!!
Ha ha ....good one BillC. Can't imagine what he ' Next level ' is after a MX, SX and MXoN championship? This news strikes me as a little strange. Why would they get rid of him?
KTM certainly injured his results. No doubt. How do you go from a 2nd place guy every week to getting top 10 or maybe top 5? Yes, there are a few more really fast guys, but you can tell he never rode to his potential. Things are looking good for him on this new team. Dungey will probably get some wins for KTM but the title is out of the question on that bike.
Ya know what.....I'm an RV fan first and foremost but I find myself rooting for Dungey now.....just to prove all you tards wrong about the KTM. Off the showroom floor the KTM's are better and way ahead of the Japanese bikes when it comes to design and technology......just imagine what the race bikes will become with Decoster at the helm and a virtually limitless budget. I've said it before and I'll say it again.....KTM will be loaded with top name riders in the very near future....
I myself have a yellow and an orange bike so I'm good to go either way.....I think the rest of you better get used to the orange bikes though!
One thing for sure. A.S will have Fly Gear. He signed a lifetime contract. It will be interesting to see Fly make the monster gear for him if the team is hooked up with them.
Reed liked the Honda better than the other bikes. Its not all about the money for him. He wants to win and picked the bike that worked best for him. Do you really think he would go back to Suzuki???? I don't see that at all.
this is the best news of the year. That KTM messed with shorty head, he said it himself. It's time to get some starts, and to those in here who don't know sh%t shorty is one of the best starters in the world, and he doesn't fade like mike alessi. All you americans love pointing to the scoreboard but don't even remember what he's done. Consistency beats speed a lot, only one reason he was a moto away from winning a world championship. haha yeah, you guys are right though, the king of the sport and the best team manager in the sport don't have much of a clue.
Dungey may struggle a bit on the current KTM until he gets the newer 450. The reviews on the new 450 offroad version say that it feels lighter than a 2 stroke. He may be a little off pace at the first couple of SX rounds, but he will get back up there.
OK good comments all. nothing matters till A1 though. then we will know fer sure.....
jcbrauns....Ummmm.... WHAT??
@ BillC
I was a little confused also....pretty sure he's calling Larry Brooks the 'best team manager in the sport'.......damn it's gonna be a long off season......
just to clarify, BillC, I never said the KTMs are junk. I even acknowledge that they're a future powerhouse, but alot of you have already crowned them king and the best they can muster is a pile of 4ths and 5ths(wait, they got 1 podium like 5 years ago). and Alessi won 1 moto at hangtown on the 350. I know it's mostly rider, Dungey will be there on the KTM, I don't deny that. I've heard he's been riding them for quite a while now, so it shouldn't take him long to adjust.
What bike was Brayton on when he won that moto at Steel City (i think) a couple years ago??
it was 09, it was a KTM 450, the best 450 ever made, on the best team in the pits. I stand corrected.
What is it about KTM and certain people? You'd think people were talking about their Moms the way they get so bent out of shape.
@ Motofinne..stupid americans ? try the fastest most talented euro spanking americans..thats why all the top euros aspire to race over here. the gp.s are just a warm up series to get ready for real racing against the best in the world !!!! btw do some photo shopping on that grill of yours dude.
Oh it is so great when people personally attack other people on here, ya know, like attacking their looks. It takes one hell of a man to dog somebody's avatar pic...i guess we can't all be perfect!! I will agree that the "stupid american's" comment was out of line though!! @B-KR, don't ya like KTM?? Why do you care if there are people who are in to the brand?? Do you support and/or prefer a certain brand of bike??
Shorty has the heart man if any of u care his kids come first he has gone thru nights and nights worrying about his child operations god I no it's tuff and then he has to get up and go race