And what about machinery, in what has seen Hislop ride for all of the major manufacturers?
‘The bike I always rated was the 1989 RVF750 Honda both ‘Foggy’ and I used at the 1991 TT and we finished 3rd in Suzuka the same year against the likes of Doohan, Gardner, Magee and Chandler etc. I must admit that the 1995 Reve Kawasaki that I have used at the end of this season are a close second, perfect bikes where everything just works, you are comfortable and they are fast’.
Steve you still have a good few years left competing in the sport, but when you finally retire from racing what involvement would you still like to have?
‘I would still love to stay in the sport, I need to find a lad who has the ability and determination to go to the top, then guide him so as not to fall into some of the traps I did’.
With motorcycle racing now attracting the mainstream media, does Steve think the sport will finally get the recognition it deserves, or is there still a long way to go?
‘I think the sport side of motorcycling has worked very hard to create a better public image, unfortunately this all goes to waste when some empty head biker cuts up some cars on the road etc and we all take two steps backward again. We are not all Hells Angels, which in the eyes of the public we are!!!’
Hislop has inspired many with his performances over the years but who has inspired and influenced him?
‘I have some racing heroes like Wayne Rainey, Mick Doohan but would have to say I have tremendous respect for Carl Fogarty, having come up through the ranks with him from the mid-80s. You just cannot believe the sheer aggression this man has, that never say die attitude, maybe this is what I lack, that final ingredient between being an average rider at international level to being a World Champion. We all live in hope!!!’.
Looking towards 1997 you will again be backed by Reve Red Bull, how is this shaping up?
‘We are going to be on Ducati machinery, and I am really looking forward to giving Niall Mackenzie and the Yamaha team a run for their money. What we really need to do is get in as much testing as we can before the season starts so we can be competitive in the opening rounds’
The final question would be tough what are the chances of a return to the TT in 1997?
I don’t really know, though it looks likely that the team will be at the North West 200and the Isle of Man TT. However, I’m sure Honda will be worried that they might lose their unbeaten run in the Superbike races if I was ever to ride there again!!!!’.
From this initial correspondence I was very fortunate to interview Steve many times over the years, he always gave his time freely, gave me little bits of advice about going to race at the Manx Grand Prix, put me in touch with many of the top racers and significant team owners and P.R people so I could build up my contacts and develop my written work. He may be celebrated in the Isle of Man later this year, but this is my tribute and a little insight into the man behind the racing star that he was and still is to his many fans.