I thought I'd provide some extra information just so you understand.
In your code:
$raceramps56["short"] = "My Test Product";
$leftMenu =
'<div class="leftMenuProductButton"><?PHP echo $raceramps56["short"] ?></div>';
You are including literally.
Take a read of this. http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.string.php
When I was first learning, I did not understand the different between literal ' and double quotes and it especially caused problems when I was trying to echo things.
Take a look at this:
<?php
echo 'this is a simple string';
echo 'You can also have embedded newlines in
strings this way as it is
okay to do';
// Outputs: Arnold once said: "I'll be back"
echo 'Arnold once said: "I\'ll be back"';
// Outputs: You deleted C:\*.*?
echo 'You deleted C:\\*.*?';
// Outputs: You deleted C:\*.*?
echo 'You deleted C:\*.*?';
// Outputs: This will not expand: \n a newline
echo 'This will not expand: \n a newline';
// Outputs: Variables do not $expand $either
echo 'Variables do not $expand $either';
?>
If you were to use " " instead of ' you would not get the same output because " will interpret everything rather then take it literally.
I hope this has been of additional help, even though you have had your question answered already.