Martin hoping to take a Short cut to the title (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Martin hoping to take a Short cut to the title

9:29am Thursday 22nd December 2011 in Motor sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

BLACKBURN racer Martin Short is eager to challenge for the Northern Formula Ford 1600 title in 2012 after enjoying his best year since entering the sport.

Short may now be 40, having only taken up motor racing six years ago, but he has ended 2011 in fine style with a double victory in the Bernard Baxter Memorial Trophy in Anglesey.

His first career win came in the Moose Trophy at Oulton Park earlier in the year, but his latest Formula Ford triumphs proved all the more special because the event was in honour of engine builder Baxter, who died in October at the age of 57.

“I knew him personally so I was honoured to win it,” said Short.

“The last engine he built was in the car when I won, so it was fitting, very much so.

“I had switched to him this year and his partner and his mother were there to present the trophy, so I was really honoured.

“They were only my second and third race wins ever race wins so I was ecstatic.

“It’s been a good year.

“I was second overall in the Northern Formula Ford 1600 Championship, second in the Star of Anglesey event and in the Champion of Oulton, and I won the Moose Trophy.

“This has been my sixth season and it has been my best year without a doubt.”

The managing director of Blackburn wallpaper firm Ovalworld, Short is now hoping to build on his success with more victories in 2012.

“That’s the aim,” he said.

“I’m at the opposite end to the scale to a lot of the younger guys in Formula Ford, who use it as a stepping stone.

“I’m realistic that at my age I’m a club racer.

“I came into it with no experience apart from a few track days but I just wanted to give it a go before I was too old.

“But I want to do as well as I can and hopefully challenge for the championship.

“I’m going to be involved in the Northern Formula Ford 1600 Championship again and then depending on how that goes possibly the national championship.”