Racing has been a lifestyle since childhood for Tim Doherty. Now this legacy is shared with his son, Josh who began racing motocross at the tender age of 5.

For the better part of 30 years Tim raced all forms of motorcycle dirt racing. With all of the serious injuries, the bedridden months, the thrills and memories and experiences that nothing else could ever buy, Tim vows that he would do it all again. No questions asked.

At age 39, after a 15 month recovery from multiple fractures to his left leg during practice -- Tim thought it may be time to quit. His doctor informed him that due to the extensive injuries sustained to to his left leg, he risked the serious potential of amputation to the limb if he broke it again.

Two years later, truly missing the lifestyle of motorcycle competitions, Tim spoke with his wife Terry about the risks of returning to the race track. After deliberating for a few minutes, she responded by stating: "If that's really what you want to do, you know I support it."

Once again Tim began racing 2 days a week.

"Racing short track and motocross in the over 40 Vet classes was perhaps the most fun racing I ever experienced. Seeing old friends and lacking the pressure always present in earlier years..." - Tim Doherty

At age 58 Tim decided to race Midgets and Sprintcars under the wing of friend Bugs Norbury (an accomplished and highly respected open wheel champion). "Beyond question it's the hairiest and most violent racing I have ever experienced, but extremely challenging and fun." .

Doherty Machine has been involved in professional racing for nearly 4 decades and remains so today.

Our most recent efforts have been focused on Landspeed Racing (LSR) at the Bonneville Salt Flats. On August 17, 2010 we set a new world record for a "HD V Rod", recording a speed of 207.887 mph aboard the Doherty/Trask turboed, partial streamlined Harley Davidson 1130cc V Rod, the fastest speed ever recorded for a V Rod eclipsing the old record for a V Rod of 200.6 mph set in 2005

For 2011 a completely new bike is under construction being developed and built completely in house to break the "A partial streamlined / blown fuel" record of 247.8 mph, a class that has been dominated for years by the Suzuki Hayabusa turboed 4 cylinders. We are confident going into the 2011 LSR season of running over 250mph on the American made 2 cylinder HD V Rod.

Additionally once again we are back to National Flat Track Racing, and will be helping National #7 Sammy Halbert with his six XR750 Harleys, in the AMA Grand National Dirt Track series in his efforts to win the coveted AMA Grand National Championship. (sammyhalbert.com)

We feel Sammy has the rare abilities to follow in the footsteps of such legions as Scotty Parker and Chris Carr .

Accomplishments

• 2010 set fastest top speed ever recorded with a HD V Rod 207.887 mph
• 1982 co-sponsored Ricky Graham to his frst of 3 Grand National AMA Flat Track titles. The first non HD factory rider to do so in over 15 seasons.
• 1983 Finished 10th in the National AMA GNA series with first year rookie expert Pete Hames
• 1984 Finished 14th in the National AMA GNA series Pete Hames
• 2005 Finished 2nd in Arizona midget championship standings. Bugs Norbury
• 2006 Won Arizona midget championship. Bugs Norbury
• 2008 Won Arizona ASCA Sprintcar championship. Bugs Norbury

Other Activities, the Bits and Pieces

In 1999 thru 2001 we joined up with Bill Chambers of BCR Engineering in racing the Top Fuel Harleys.

Bill is now 66 years young and was the 4th person in history to run a fuel bike into the 160's in 1967. In 1999 after destroying the fueler at 180 mph we teamed up and jointly built a new bike.

Bill Chambers is a highly regarded head porter and engine builder, operating Bill Chambers Racing located in southern California. BillChambersRacing.com - Bill is still actively racing today in land speed racing and for 2011 is building a 180 cubic inch Twin Cam Harley to challenge the 3000cc pushrod record.

In 1983 thru 1987 Tim developed a relationship with with Jerry Branch of Branch Flow Metics in Tim's efforts to further develop The Harley XR750s and the Rotax 500-600cc short track engines.

For 2011 we are assembling a 104 cubic inch Evolution based LSR Bike that Josh Doherty will be riding.

Yours in racing. Doherty Machine