Jessica "Shorty" Doherty 7-17-08

 

I honestly don’t know where to start… Let’s see there’s your new Scene Girl feature… your new “Short & Sweet” Online Poll… your plans to move from Florida to Virginia… your racing plans… What do you think?
How about we start with my injuries and racing stuff, then we’ll get into all the other stuff?

Sounds like a plan. So tell us why you’ve been missing in action for the last year or more.
As I started training for the 2007 season I had a nasty get-off and wound up blowing my knee out. I had surgery in January of last year and that kept me sidelined for 7 months. I started riding and training and only three months into training I wrecked, again. I was actually racing one of the SSQSA races and had a simple wreck. But the injuries weren’t so simple. I crushed my spleen in three pieces, lacerated my liver, lacerated one of my kidneys, broke a rib, had fluid in my lungs which had me on breathing treatments for two weeks. I had surgery as soon as they realized the seriousness of my injuries. I have three coil springs holding my spleen together.

You know there are a lot of people that might choose another sport.
I definitely got real depressed and discouraged with the back to back injuries. I questioned myself about things for sure, but I truly love this sport and I love riding and racing. I don’t want to give it up, especially knowing I have more potential to grow as a racer.

So you’re all heeled up and you’ve been riding?
Yeah, coming back from this last injury matured me a lot. It took me sometime to get my confidence back, but I finally got it back and now I really feel great out there. In fact, I’m riding the best I’ve ever ridden. I just need to stay focused and healthy.

Are you planning on hitting the rest of the ATV Nationals?
I’ve talked it over with my family and sponsors. We’ve agreed for me not to worry about the rest of the 2008 season. With only two rounds left it isn’t worth the time and money at this point.

OK so that leads us to 2009.. What are your plans?
Well, I’m going to try to win the Women’s Pro-Am National Championship. I’m in the process of moving to Fredricksburg, VA, which I think will be a positive step for me and my family. It certainly is a lot closer to the national tracks than our current home in the middle of Florida.

Do you mind everyone always calling you “Shorty”? That’s borderline rude isn’t it?
My good friend Rene Zapata just started calling me “Shorty Doherty” and people caught on to it. I was pretty much no longer Jessica, it was always Shorty instead. It became my new identity at the races too, so I took advantage of it. It’s kind of funny how it has spread everywhere, coworkers even call me Shorty. I really don’t mind at all.

So how tall are you? Or should I say how short are you?
I have to tell this story… Sometime last year while visiting the Walsh Race Craft compound down here in Florida, Mike Walsh wanted my height measurement for a wall he keeps for visitors. He was all serious about it too. He made me take my shoes off while he got out all his measuring tools. Here I come to find out I was only 4’-11¾”. All this time, I have been telling people that I was five-foot-even and here I come to find out I wasn’t even that tall! He told me from that day forward I knew my exact height. Plus, I wear a size 5 in kids gloves, a size 5 in kids boots, and a XXXS Shoei helmet. What can I say, I’m just small!

Wow! Being that small has to be challenging?
It is! At my size, fitting on the quad alone is a challenge. What people don’t realize is all the little things that make it so difficult to go fast. It took a few years and several injuries before we finally got my quad to fit me. Thanks to my dad and Walsh Race Craft, they’ve helped fabricate several components that help me tremendously.

So tell us more what you guys have done to your 450R.
We put one inch taller Pro Pegs on it, lowered the sub frame, put smaller handlebars and grips on, modified the seat and more. What all that did was give me more seat-to-ass clearance and a better grip to hold on.. Oh, and getting rid of the twist throttle seemed to help also! (Laughs)

Sounds like your old school Dad tried to make you a twist girl?
(Laughs) Yep, my Dad always ran a twist, so that was all the more motivation to run a twist. Plus, I use to race dirt bikes, so when I converted over to quads it only made sence to keep the twist. Besides, a stock thumb throttle wasn’t working out with my small hands. But, even though I like a twist, I think a thumb throttle is safer — so I now run a modified thumb throttle.

Okay let’s move to your new Scene Girl photo shoot.
Yep I’m Miss July 2008! The feedback has been great. It was a lot of fun and something new for me. It’s definitely different than my everyday lifestyle, but I could see myself getting used to the camera… Hint, Hint. (Laughs)

So… can I say told you so yet?
(Laughs) Yes you can say it… I was hesitant about doing it but I’m glad I did it. I think it turned out great, and one thing sure does lead to another. Thanks John!

You’re making this interview so easy. Speaking of one thing leading to another tell our readers all about your new “Short & Sweet Online Poll”.
Okay, it’s called “Short & Sweet”, (Laughs) just like me. In all seriousness, I’m really excited about it. It’s a simple poll on the front page of ATV Scene.. Readers can vote on meaningful issues in seconds.

I like where you’re going here. Go on.
My Short & Sweet Poll will allow people in our sport the opportunity to easily log their opinion without a bunch of hassle. I’ll put a new well thought out poll every other week until it starts becoming popular, then I’ll start having a new one each week. It’s going to be fun but at the same time I plan to have serious questions that deal with serious issues in the ATV world and beyond. This sport means a lot to me and it would make me feel great to try and help make a change for the better, for all of us..

You go girl! We have wanted a poll on ATV Scene for ten years now. I don’t think we could have found anyone better for this. I think your passion for the sport will help greatly with this thing. Speaking of this passion, tell us more about your roots and why you’re so into ATV riding and racing?
I’ve been privileged enough to be raised at the motocross track. For some people that might not sound like much fun, but for me it was all I ever knew or wanted. I’ve been going to the Loretta Lynn’s ATV National since 1987, when I was still in my Momma’s stomach!

Wow! Not too many people can say that.
Yep, I’m a born-and-raised-ATVer. The sport means the world to me. With my Dad’s three and four wheeled championships, all the riding, people and road trips – I just may be the oldest 21 year old in industry. I’ve seen so many people mature in the ranks of racing and become who they are now. I’ve also seen some fall and disappear. I’ve seen this sport slowly grow to where it’s at now and I want to help it continues to grow.

Talk more on your Dad. He was a darn good rider, and it’s obvious he’s raised quite a daughter in you.
Thank you. If it weren’t for my Dad, I wouldn’t be in this sport, period. My Dad is Gary Doherty, who has raced nationally since the very beginning of time. (Laughs) He goes as far back as the three wheeler days. My Dad was fast and won many championsips! He raced full time back in the day but I never paid that much attention to it at my young age. But now that I’m older and pretty much racing full time myself I understand what it takes, and now I can appreciate the effort and success he had.

Sounds like he’s helped you quite a bit.
He is such a vital role in my racing career. With his experience on and off the track, it doesn’t get much better. He can watch me and tell me what I need to work on. Or point out certain lines that seem to be working better for others. Most importantly, he’s awesome with bike set up. He knows all the little in’s and out’s that make things so much easier. As much as he can drive me crazy, I couldn’t ask for a better Dad, I love him.

How about the rest of your family?
Well, I’m the only child. So other than my Dad and myself, there’s my Mom. She’s sacrificed so much with my Dad’s racing and now she’s dealing with mine. She’s really great though. She’ll shoot video and take pictures at the races. She’s very proud of me and supportive, most of the time. (Laughs) She’s not a big fan whenever I get hurt, and I’ve put her through that enough. But you know what, she’s still there at the hospital bed taking care of me. I love her too! I must admit, I’m pretty lucky to have my parents, they’re awesome.

Good for you for having so much love and respect for your parents. I’ve seen my share of spoiled ungrateful punks. I’m glad you’re not one of them. Should we wrap it up with that? Any parting words? People you need to thank?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m probably a little spoiled, but I try not to take it for granted and to let my parents know I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. I can’t wait to race the Nationals next year and see everyone again. There are a lot of good people and a lot of good things about ATV racing and riding. I’m really glad my Dad introduced me to this sport. Special thanks to my sponsors, Champions Honda, Fox Shox, and Walsh Race Craft.

 

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