Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. Racer Thomas J. Doherty, 53, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was killed Sunday, March 14, 2004 during practice for a WERA Sportsman series race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). According to a www.gazettevirginian report citing the Virginia State Police as a source, Doherty collided with another racer in the Turn Six area of the racetrack. Both riders crashed, and Doherty impacted a “tire retaining wall,” suffering fatal head and neck injuries. The second rider, Richard Young, was treated and released from a local hospital, according to the report. VIR spokesperson John Gardner could not provide additional details on the accident when contacted by Roadracingworld.com Monday morning but did confirm that Doherty’s death was the first competitor fatality at the track since VIR re-opened in 2000 and possibly the first-ever motorcycle fatality in the track’s history. More, from a statement released by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, Inc.: During a morning practice session at the WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Regional race being held at VIRginia International Raceway on March 14, 2004, rider Tom Doherty, age 53, from Chapel Hill, NC, succumbed to injuries sustained in an on-track incident.