He grew up in the village of Chesters near the town of Hawick with his father Sandy, mother Margaret and younger brother Garry [his best friend].

However, when Garry was killed in a racing accident at Silloth circuit in 1982 aged 19, Hislop's enthusiasm waned and he slumped into an alcohol fuelled depression (the death of his father three years earlier from a heart attack may also have contributed).

He came a good second in the opening TT F1 race, with the bike proving it could complete six laps of the gruelling Snaefell Mountain Course in hot weather.

The two riders smashed records they had set the previous year, with Hislop taking a narrow advantage into the final lap.

Although he did not take a BSB victory in 1996 or 1997, Hislop was hired by Rob McElnea strong Cadbury's Boost Yamaha team for 1998.

The nature of the fight for the championship between Hislop and team-mate Niall Mackenzie was illustrated by a near-collision on the last lap at Snetterton, which cost the team a 1–2 finish.