Northwood local Nate Shortt is a star on the rise in the motocross world, with the young gun dominating rivals this season to be named both the 85cc and 125cc A grade Northern Regions champion.
At just 13 years old, Shortt capped off a brilliant year by clinching the race win in both categories during the final round at Cobram on October 13, sealing a ridiculous record of finishing inside the top two in every race in the 85cc class.
Remarkably, it was Shortt’s first year in the bigger 125cc category, and after a slow start by his own standards saw him finish sixth and fifth in the first two rounds, he stormed home to finish on the podium in each of the final six rounds on his way to the title.
It was a result the up-and-comer could only have dreamed of at the start of the year, but as he explains, is not one that will see him rest on his laurels any time soon.
“I was fairly confident that I would be up there on the 85cc after finishing second in 2023, but had no real expectations on the 125cc, I was just going to do my very best every time I sat on the bike and see where it got me,” he said.
“To have achieved regional champion on both 85cc and 125cc, racing people I had always looked up to, to finally get comfortable being uncomfortable and to push the boundaries has just been amazing.
“Winning these classes was awesome, but I don’t feel done at all. Looking back on the season I know there are so many areas I could still improve on.”
While the Northern Regions series is done and dusted for 2024, Shortt will still be in action at the Broadford Speedway Series for the remainder of the year, before his attention will turn back to motocross ahead of the first race of next year at Shipwreck MX Club.
There is plenty of ambition in Shortt, who has set himself lofty goals for next season after what was a stellar 2024 campaign.
“Next year I am aiming for a ‘threepeat’ at regionals; 85, 125 and 250cc A-grade champion,” he said.
“My goal for Vic titles is to be the 85BW champion and in the top three of the 125 class, while I also hope to attend my first Aussie titles.
“If we are able to raise enough money I also plan to compete on the 250 in the MX3 series at the Australian ProMX, which usually runs along the east coast of Australia.”
The ultimate goal for Shortt is to emulate his idols Jett and Hunter Lawrence, the Australian siblings who finished first and second in the SuperMotoCross World Championships this year, and become a professional MX rider riding internationally.
He will get the opportunity to ask them for any advice in November, when he hangs out with the pair at the AusXOpen, having won a competition to spend a day with the duo.