We've really enjoyed watching rally get 'hold of former motocross and supercross star Andrew Short, because it's led many moto fans to take a closer look at the long-running Dakar rally.

Shorty, in his second appearance at the event, really killed it with a top-five finish last month. He stopped by at the Arlington Supercross over the weekend and shared some hilarious stories, such as deciding when to pee in your riding pants, and getting through customs with Alpinestars' experimental "air bag" gear, which has small explosive cannisters wired into his jacket.

Here's some more analysis courtesy of Scott Sports' Defend Your Vision series. The video is worth a look alone just for the incredible footage of Shorty pegging his bike up and down gnarly sand dunes (this was shot during a test session in Glamis). 

Oh, and about the whole danger thing? Short says, "You see the helicopter quite often, and they’re [other riders] not moving they’re not breathing. You have to accept that. I think the average, one person dies at Dakar a year. I’m willing to take that chance and live life. I would want my kids to follow their heart and take a chance."

Main Image: Husqvarna Images