Hizzy: The Autobiography of Steve Hislop - Tapa dura

Steve Hislop is one of the most famous motorcycle racers in the world. He has always been outspoken and controversial, having had many famous clashes and splits with teams and riders over the years, not always to his advantage. Now he gets his chance to tell his incredible, funny and at times tragic story.

Hislop made his debut in 1979 on a bike paid for by his father, but when the latter died of a heart-attack, he embarked on a self-destructive quest that resulted in more crashed bikes and cars than he can remember. Three years later his brother Garry was killed racing at Silloth.

It looked as if he would never race again but while on holiday at the Isle of Man TT races in 1983, he was mesmerised by the sight of Joey Dunlop and he knew he had to try it.

He took to the roads immediately, amassing an amazing career record of eleven wins and was the first rider in history to lap the course at an average speed of over 120mph. Hizzy's TT victories over big name rivals like Joey Dunlop and Carl Fogarty made him a living legend the world over. He turned his back on the Isle of Man in 1994, claiming it was too fast and dangerous for modern Superbikes.

However, he had already proved he was just as fast on purpose-built short circuits having won the British 250cc championship in 1990 and then went on to win the British Superbike title in 1995.

He is currently leading the 2002 British superbike championship and looks set to win it for a second time.

Steve Hislop's story is a tale of both triumph and tragedy.

Born to a racing father, Steve was only seventeen when his dad died in his arms. Consumed with grief, he started drinking heavily and crashed so many cars it appeared he had a death wish; it seemed his racing career was over almost before it began.

More tragedy followed when Steve's only brother was killed in a racing accident and Steve was once again plagued by grief. But a trip to the Isle of Man TT races in 1983 so inspired him that he decided to compete there and went behind the backs of family and friends to do so. It was the start of one of the most successful TT careers in history, as Hizzy went on to win 11 races on the most dangerous race track in the world and became the first man to set an average lap speed of over 120mph.

Steve turned his back on the TT in 1994 to try and prove himself in short circuit racing, a discipline many thought he could never master. He proved the doubters wrong by lifting the 250cc British championship in 1990, and the British Superbike championship in 1995.

Hailed as a 'flawed genius' and 'the fastest man ever to sit on a motorcycle' by his peers, Hislop was plagued with bad luck over the next seven years as injuries, sackings and team bust-ups repeatedly ruin his championship hopes.

After surviving a broken neck in 2000 Hizzy felt he'd been given a second chance at life and set about winning the BSB title with a new-found determination. He finally achieved his dream in 2002 – but was sacked from his team just two weeks later.