Page 124 - Issue_39

JOHN SHORT
250 SX / 19TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> John Short is not only a fresh face on the scene of Supercross, he is fresh face on the scene of the sport in general. Short did not get heavily involved in racing until 2010. Most riders you see each weekend start out racing on 50cc machines but Short began his racing career aboard su- perminis. He sure has come a long way in such an abbreviated amount of time. He had some great rides last year during the 450 outdoor series and we’re now seeing him show us his skills on a 250 in supercross. Coming into Toronto he had only made one main event in his career so he was hoping all the pieces would fall together in Canada.
Short would go out and qualify with the twentieth fastest time and seemed smooth on the slippery course. He reinforced his qualifying effort in the heat race after he went out and nailed a good start. He got the start he needed to give him a solid chance of qualifying straight to the main and he took full advantage. He started in seventh and momentarily took sixth in a battle with Luke Renzland but would ultimately hold onto sev- enth and an easy transfer right on through to the main event. He made
it look so casual but it was his first main of the year and only his second of his career. He lined up for the big race ready to contend and enjoy the moment.
Short could not replicate his start from the heat race as he got banged around on the opening lap. He crossed the finish line on the first lap deep in twenty-first position. The sponsor-less rider churned forward slowly but surely during the race to end up in nineteenth place. I am sure he would have liked a little bit more but at the end of the day he has got to be happy to have made his first main of the year.
124 GRITMOTO • MARCH 5, 2017