Steve Hislopthe legendary British pilot known affectionately under the nickname “The Flying Haggis”has to his credit, among others, having won the British Superbike Championship in 2002. Precisely these days we have the opportunity to acquire the other indivisible part of the equation that led to the title: the Ducati 998RS with whom he played the season.
Ducati 998RS: rolling sculpture for sale
There are few motorcycles in history that arouse more passions than the Ducati 916. In the opinion of fans, motor journalists and people from the world of two wheels, we are looking at what is possibly the most beautiful sports car ever designed. Of course “for different tastes”, but there is no doubt at this point that we are talking about a true icon and probably the motorcycle with which the talented Massimo Tamburini established a career full of success.
What we also have no doubt about was the talent possessed by the immeasurable Steve Hislop, who sadly died in 2003 in a helicopter accident. Just a year before he managed to win the British Superbike Championship riding the Ducati 998RS that stars these lines. The same one that is for sale for the “modest” price of 180,000 pounds, about 210,000 euros at the current exchange rate.
“Faster than a MotoGP”
No, it’s not a joke. It turns out that good ol’ Hislop broke the lap record at Donington Park, posting a faster time than Valentino Rossi’s pole position lap in MotoGP that same year… That’s nothing there. He shattered the circuit record, recording a time of 1 minute and 31.457 secondsreducing the Italian’s lap time at the controls of his official Honda by one tenth.
As they explain in the ad description itself: “That Hislop was faster with a Superbike was extraordinary. In fact, it is a feat that, in the world of motorcycling, is still remembered today. And it happened precisely with this Ducati”. A memorable year in every way, tto gain a total of eight victories, 10 pole positions and 13 fastest laps.
History of the 998RS for sale
In sports with this 998RS Hislop won races at Silverstone, Knockhill, Brands Hatch and two at Oulton Park and Cadwell Park, respectively. It was at Donington Park, during the thirteenth and final round of the season, where Hislop sealed the long-awaited national title. After a mediocre penultimate race, by his own admission, Steve was looking to seal the championship in style: “I am determined to prove myself here, after the much criticism I received after my performance in the previous round. I intend to be a worthy champion”he commented himself.
At the end of that glorious season, Hislop’s 998RS spent the next 12 years on display at the headquarters of Paul Bird Motorsport. It was later sold to Tony Oneillwho exhibited it in his famous Oneil Ducati collection, before being acquired by its current owner in 2019. As detailed “Paul Bird Motorsport not only rebuilt the engine, but also overhauled the mechanics of the bike so it could take part in exhibition laps.”
Its current status is “original impeccable and fully functional” and comes accompanied by an original 2002 Hislop suit and helmet, copies of Paul Bird Motorsport’s original handwritten race sheets from that successful season and its very rare original Magneti Marelli data recorder.
Main aspects of the sale
- Model: Ducati 998RS manufactured by Ducati Corse in the factory.
- Price: 180,000 pounds
- Chassis number: VS5801
- Engine Number: PBM 1
- Registration: UK taxes paid
If you have come this far and your eyes are twinkling, you have two options: close this article right now and dedicate yourself to something else, or exchange the necessary euros for the 180,000 pounds that this Ducati 998RS costs and buy yourself, in addition to a piece of British racing history, one of the most beautiful motorcycles (perhaps the most beautiful) that have ever been manufactured.
For more details by clicking on this link.
