Dörflinger had a long and successful career that saw him first compete in the Grand Prix paddock in 1973. He took his first podium that season in the Yugoslavian Grand Prix, before taking more top fives the following year as he became a more regular face on the grid. In 1975, he was back on the podium in the Spanish Grand Prix and the Nations Grand Prix. In 1976 he took on a new challenge as he competed in both the 50cc and 125cc World Championships, something he would continue to do for much of his career. A regular top finisher in both, Dörflinger took more podiums – including his first 125cc podium in 1979 – before 1980 finally saw him take to the top step in the 50cc class. Coming first or second in every race bar his first that year, the Swiss rider was gaining traction and 1981 began with a win. But it was 1982 when Dörflinger finally took his first title, winning the first three races of the season on the way to the crown. He defended the 50cc title the following season, taking another three wins. 1984 saw the dawn of the 80cc World Championship, and Dörflinger was immediately a success. On the podium first time out, a first win in the new category wasn’t far away and again it was a trio, beginning in the Austrian Grand Prix. Another win later in the season added to his achievements and he became the first ever 80cc World Champion. As he’d done previously in the 50cc class, Dörflinger then defended the crown and became a back-to-back Champion once again. That made it four titles in a row for the Swiss rider, securing his place in history. He took his final win in the 80cc class in 1988, and his final podiums in Grand Prix racing came the following year in the same class when he was also runner up in the Championship. His final season of competition was 1990, making it an incredible career spanning 18 seasons in which he took a total of 18 Grand Prix wins.