During more than 60 years of TT visits, I have enjoyed the company and friendship of many people involved with , and attending this annual event. We keep in touch by letter in the days before the computer and by e-mails now. However there are a number of the band who are no longer with us but they leave memories which will last for ever.

Steve Hislop is just one of them and I feel privileged to have been good friends with him...

STEVE HISLOP IN HONDA GARAGE

It started in 1989 when I met him in the Honda garage on the Prom and was able to chat with him as he prepared the new fairing patterns for his No.6 machine.

STEVE AT KEPPEL GATE

To my surprise, after the Thursday afternoon practice, he told me in the Press Centre that he had seen me at Keppel Gate in my Silkolene paddock jacket. The jacket was the one I had received as a perk that year and Steve wore one as well when off the bike.

TT WINNER STEVE HISLOP IN THE PRESS CENTRE

We met up on numerous occasions not least at the NEC and Ally Pally Motorcycle Shows when we had a drink or two during a lunch interval.

TT WINNER STEVE HISLOP AT ALLY PALLY

On the Isle of Man, Steve moved to a house just three doors down from where I stay so I was invited to visit.

TTFAN VIDEOS STEVE HISLOP

STEVE AT COLOURS LAUNCHING HIS BOOK

STEVE SIGNS MY COPY (A FRAME FROM A TV FILM)

The last time I saw him was at the launch of his book "HIZZY", and said that he would be down south (near me) at the airport from where he hired his helicopter, in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I was away and was unable to meet him........

STEVES MEMORIAL STATUE IN ONCHAN