Hizzy: Your tributes

Our message boards have been flooded with tributes to the reigning British Superbike champion Steve Hislop, who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, July 30.

Here’s how you have reacted:

Msshimmy: Oh my god. Can’t believe this, it won’t be the same without him. Met Steve a couple of times and he was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family and kids.

Pokemon: The news on Hizzy is very true and so goddamn terrible, wot can u say except godbless to another lost star.

Owdamer: Just finished reading his book last week, I dont know what to say, absolutely gutted, how can one man have so much bad luck? My heart goes out to his family.

Jedibird: I met him at Rockingham and he signed my leathers. I was looking forward to seeing him kick ass on the ETI bike. My deepest sympathies go to his family and friends. Ride like the wind Hizzy.

Katey: Devastated at the news of Hizzy’s death. Scotland has lost one of it’s greatest biking heroes. Had an awesome time watching him lift the BSB title at Donighton last year. Deepest sympathy to his family.

Massage: What’s going on this year there taking all our heroes.

VFR nut: As a fan I feel sick at the thought of not seeing you grace the tracks of Britian again. I cannot start to comprehend what your immediate family is going through, but one thing is for sure, the British No1 died enjoying his favourite pastime and of that we can be grateful. Long live the memory of the greatest ever roadracer.

Scoob: I am still getting used to the thought that DJ will never be seen on mainland and TT circuits, Sheene will never show the young uns how it should be done and now this. Steve Hislop, the No. 1 plate holder gone! This is too much to take in, I really wish I’d not got into the sport that I love because this hurts too much. God bless you Steve you are a true hero of mine. Pull a chair up with Bazza , DJ & Joey on the top table because that’s where you belong mate.

mandyoriginal1: As no doubt many are aware, they altered Knickerbrook at Oulton park as it was considered too fast, and made it into a chicane. I think they were looking for suggestions for a new name for the chicane at the earlier Oulton round, so what better than naming it in memory of Hizzy

ni dragon: another good man goes to a better place. I’ve followed Hizzy for a good while and I’m a damn yank from California! My drink is lifted, my head is bowed, and my deepest condolences to his wife and kids.

Kickassracer: As i am writing this…there is a tear in my eye and I am absolutely gutted, Hizzy didnt deserve this. I hope you didn’t suffer Hizzy and that you’re remembered for your class riding…c’mon who else could lap donington faster than Rossi?

I am calling everyone who reads this and who supports Hizzy to turn out in force at Oulton Park…I will be there with my union jack flag bearing the name “Hizzy”. Lets turn Oulton into Hislops day and give this great guy a send off in style.

Dagger: So many great memories and images to help us in the wider biking world deal with his tragic loss. My thoughts go to his family at this time. I can only hope they gain some comfort from the knowledge that he will live on in our hearts and minds. He remains our hero, our inspiration … our Hizzy.

Hizzyfan: Steve was a fantastic racer and despite what some people said, he still had many years of racing in him. I met Steve a couple of times at Brands BSB last year. He was such a genuine bloke, he took the time out to sign pictures and talk about the race. It was only yesterday that I sat watching men and motors and Steve was doing a bike test. I sat there laughing at his wacky sense of humour as he raced through the TT course.

neil19815: I would just like to say that i have seen hizzy ride in the bsb and he was a hard racer and was always willing to talk to his fans. he was a great man and will be greatly missed.

Hrbell: Like everyone else I am greatly saddened by the death of Steve Hislop. I met him only once and was well impressed. Its been a tough year with Barry Sheene, Big Dave and now Hizzy (I am still sorry about Joey’s departure) Great guys every one, massive talent and they will be missed for a very very long time.

Bostromsgal: What a complete shock this morning, my friend rang us at around 5.15, I did not know what to think what an absolute tragedy. Our condolences go out to all his family and friends. Just think though all the guys up there who are having fun racing round that great race track in the sky

Camraom: Hizzy you were the best ever on a Superbike. I believe Colin Edwards once said you were the fastest Superbike rider in the world. I was fortunate to meet you several times, when you supported my charity rides in the Manx. But my lasting memory of you will always be the day I was pushing my bike home up Cronk ny Mona in the 1991 350 Classic Manx. I was totally knackered and you gave your can of Coke to me. I got it home that day and the memory of Steve Hislop, a man with no airs and graces and sitting with other normal spectators stayed with me forever.

Gixxerthou: I had the chance to meet Steve at riders of Bridgewater a couple of years a go he was a real nice chap and will be sadly missed by many.

Mekon: An exception to many rules – age no barrier, injury no barrier. True grit.

Paveway: What terrible news. I first saw Steve on the Norton in 1992 at the TT. He truly was one of the greats and there was always the tantalising prospect that he would have returned to the TT one day.

Spindlepoons: It’s taken weeks to get to the stage where I can open a paper or magazine and see a picture of David Jefferies without stopping short and reflecting that he’s no longer with us. Now another personal hero of mine features in another headline that stops you in your tracks and which you have to read again and again before believing it.

bens press woman: What a tragic loss this is to motorcycle racing. I only spoke to Hizzy last week and he was all fired up and raring to go to make his comeback on his old bike at Oulton Park next week.

Apart from his riding skills and natural talent Hizzy did more than most to assist up and coming young riders, giving up his time to attend ACU Academy days with the lads, giving advice and encouragement. He will be sorely missed.

pete boddy: I was fortunate enough to have met the man last year, where we chatted for a while before he signed my lid. He was a really genuine guy, friendly, approachable and very honest. I was looking forward to seeing him back on a Ducati and mixing it again at the front of the pack, where he belonged.

radge4u: Don’t believe it – DJ and now Hizzy. Only met him a few weeks ago at a book signing. He seemed a bit embarrassed by the whole thing. A great bloke – fought for everything he achieved. Was looking forward to him finishing of this season’s BSB on his old duke.

Sphene: One of the few who conquered the roads as well as the short circuits. He was just brilliant. It was an honour to have watched him throughout his career and he was an inspiration to many of the younger riders following in his footsteps. Who can forget him and Foggy at the Isle of Man, racing at its best. A canny Scotsman who will be sadly missed.

Mcleansio: I have been “trackside” for nearly 25 years, and Steve was one of the top characters. I know he’s had his critics in recent years, but you only had to watch the man to see he was giving it his all. I have had the pleasure of meeting him both in the kitty litter and in the paddock, even in local eateries, and he was always the gent.

rage man: I painted Hizzy’s helmets since 2000. A nice bloke. Was looking forward to him kicking ass at Oulton on his old bike with the ETI boys. If it weren’t for bad luck he’d have had no luck at all.

Jackier: I have only seen Hizzy race a couple of times at Knock hill and had the honour of getting a wee chat with him. That was enough for me, total admiration for him.

Tankslappers: We were there in 1992, up at the Bungalow with our NOC mates in the scorching sun, watching Hizzy win the Senior TT on a Norton – the first Norton win since Mike Hailwood over 30 years previously. After 6 gruelling laps Hizzy won by 4 seconds over Foggy. It was the best sporting moment in our lives.

Andyhck: At Cadwell a couple of years ago my son who was very young at the time was a bit scared to let him sign his shirt. We went back later when it was quiet and Steve came out especially to sign it for him and talk a while, top gesture.

Raptorboy: I had the pleasure of meeting Steve at the bike show in Birmingham last year when he signed for the virgin squad. I had bought a replica of his helmet and got him to sign it. A friend took pictures, and Steve was a total gent. He told me not to worry as he wasn’t changing the helmet design for this year so it was cool that I’d bought one.

Hizzigonenotforgotten: What a guy, what a hero, what a racer. I was at Cadwell Park last year and I will never forget shouting to him “come on Hizzy, give us another one” after he had won the first race and he looked over at me and smiled. I will never forget that day now for the rest of my life.

Add your tributes to Steve Hislop by clicking the link on the right to go to our BSB discussion board, or e-mail them to mcn.online@emap.com.