Hizzy

Hizzy

SteveHislop's autobiography was a hard read for me. Reading through tearfilled eyes isn’t my specialty.

Hislop overcame a life checkered with heartwrenching trials and tribulations before taking his fair share of checkered flags on the racetrack. His father died when Hislop was 17 years old; his only brother passed soon after. Hislop then set out on a selfdestructive, car-crashing spree, diving into the bottle in hopes of finding freedom from his despair.

In 1983, a chance visit to the Isle of Man turned Hislop’s attention to roadracing, which eventually led to a colossal collection of on-track accomplishments. The Scot tallied 11 TT victories (one on a Norton Rotary), became the first rider to break the IoM 120-mph barrier, and won British 250cc GP and Superbike titles (the latter after recovering from a broken neck). Yet he never earned the support needed to take him to the top of the racing world.

Ten years ago, as a green TT wannabe, I pushed through a media mob to ask Hislop for riding tips.

To my surprise, he invited me to his home for afternoon tea, and patiently answered all of my questions. Twice each year thereafter, he called to ask how I was doing.

Hislop lost his life in a helicopter accident shortly after this book was published. I was fortunate to have known him. Read this book and you’ll know him, too.

Mark Cernicky

Hizzy: The Autobiography of Steve Hislop, Steve Hislop, 319 pages, $30; Trafalgar Square, P0. Box 257, N. Pomfret, VT 05053; 800/423-4525; www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com