Steve Hislop

Published: Wednesday, 10 June 2009, 4:09PM

One of the finest motorcycle racers in the world, Steve Hislop was a supreme short circuit racer as well as being a TT legend but it was on the Isle of Man where he ultimately made his name and launched his career, which would see him go on to claim two British Superbike titles.

The Hawick rider was inspired to compete on the Mountain Course after watching Norman Brown and Joey Dunlop in action during the 1983 meeting and after stepping on to the podium at the Manx Grand Prix, he made his TT debut in 1985. By 1987, he was the man to beat on his 350cc Yamaha and a first win duly came his way in the Formula 2 race, just days after retiring from the Junior race whilst holding on to a commanding lead.

He was snapped up by Honda and became the third fastest man ever on his way to second place in the 1988 Senior but it was in 1989 when he really established himself as a TT great. Hizzy took a hat trick of race wins during the week and became the first man to lap the Mountain Course at over 120mph. One of the most stylish racers in the world, he had a mixed week in 1990 but bounced back in 1991 to record his second hat trick and move his own outright lap record to new highs.

He was surprisingly dropped by Honda in 1992 but had arguably his finest ever moment when he won the Senior race on a Norton after a titanic battle with close rival Carl Fogarty. Quite simply, Hizzy was awesome around the Mountain Course and took two more wins in 1994 before switching his attentions to the British Championship scene.

A return to the TT was always talked about in the months leading up to the event but Hizzy’s only appearances would be in the parade laps. Having set up his home on the Island, he was looking to get his British Superbike career back on track in 2003 when he sadly lost his life in a helicopter accident in July that year. His death stunned the racing community and his loss was felt the whole world ever.