A PERSONAL TRIBUTE  The picture above is one of many I took at Steves book launch in the West Coast Cafe, under the Hilton, on the Isle of Man, in June 2003, and I feel this pic IS Steve as I shall remember him. He signed my copy of his book with a personal message, something I will treasure............. Anybody remotely interested in motorcycling and motorcycle racing will now, like me, be mourning the passing of eleven-times TT winner and twice Superbikes Champion, Scotsman Steve "Hizzy" Hislop who died on 30/7/03, less than TWO months after the T.T., not on some race circuit, but in the pursuance of his newest hobby, that of flying helicopters....... I first met Steve more than fifteen years ago and have followed his career through the good times and through the bad times..  As a freelance in 1989 I was pleased to work with him as part of the T.T. press team, and was able to spend time with him in the Honda camp.  As a consequence we became good friends and since then have met up at various race meetings, at motorcycle shows and at functions and had some great chats...  It was in 1989 during Thursdays practice when I was photographing riders from behind the wall on the bend just before Kates that I took a super picture of him coming directly at the camera.... After practice he came over to me and said "I saw you up at Kates this afternoon, taking my picture"..... Now Steve must have been doing a fair lick through that point yet he still picked me out... Since then we often laughed about it and it became a part of my TT stories at motorcycle-related dinners and club nights.  Gary Raybon interviewing Steve outside the hotel in 1989 I last saw him in the West Coast Cafe under the Hilton when he came to sign his book for the fans who flocked to see him.....He introduced me to his publisher as "This is Ian, I've known him for years..." We chatted for a long time and I feel that he and I could chat properly because he was able to trust me... He was quite a shy person and had to know someone very well before he let them into his immediate circle.  TTFAN at Steves house, TT 2000 Frankly, I will miss him terribly, yet have some rare photographs and great memories of him both on and off the race track.  11 times TT WINNER I will be able to remember him through my large collection of films and videos by clicking on the active line below We won't forget the date !!!! (30-7-03) Ian Huntly (TTFAN)  SEE MY TRIBUTE IN PICTURES |