Steven (Steve) Hislop


1962 - 2003

Controversial motorcycling champion, regarded by fellow riders as the fastest man ever on a motorcycle. Born in Hawick, Hislop made his debut in 1979, encouraged into the sport by his father who died suddenly shortly afterwards. He won the Isle of Man TT eleven times and was the first rider in its history to lap that course at an average speed of over 120 mph (193 km/hr). He turned his back on the TT in 1994, claiming it was too fast and dangerous for modern superbikes. He went on to win the British 250cc Championship in 1990 and became British Superbike Champion (1995 and 2002).

A flawed genius, his career has been described as self-destructive and his risk-taking resulted in numerous high-speed crashes and Hislop suffering life-threatening injuries. His brother, Garry, was killed on a motorcycle in 1982 and Hislop stopped attending funerals of fellow riders, unable to face up to the number of friends he had lost. He was always outspoken having well-publicised clashes with other riders and teams over the years.

Hislop lived on the Isle of Man. His autobiography Hizzy was published in 2003. He died tragically later the same year in a helicopter accident near Teviothead, to the west of his childhood home of Chesters. Following a funeral in Hawick, Hislop was buried next to his father and brother at Southdean Cemetery.

A bend on the Knockhill Racing Circuit was named in his honour.


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