The Bob Gill Foundation

(Helping people with spinal cord injuries walk again!) 

   Debbie Lawler "The Flying Angel"

"Jumping is like floating on clouds. Once you make a record, people expect you to go longer, higher... You feel like a gunfighter; always being challenged."

—Debbie Lawler

 Debbie Lawler was raised in a family of girls, but did everything a boy would do. Her father gave her a motorcycle for her 10th birthday.

By the time she was 16 years old, she was riding her bike at tracks and in motocross races. While in her teens, she modeled part time in Phoenix, Arizona and raced on weekends. She eventually met a manager who helped her pursue a career as a female motorcycle jumper.

In 1974, she broke Evel's record in the Astodome and held the indoor world record for both men and woman. The 21 year old jumped over 16 cars
in the Houston Astrodome.The length of the jump was 101 ft.

Later in March of 1975, she crashed during a performance. She was making a jump at the Ontario Motor Speedway in California. A strong gust of wind spun her motorcycle out of  control


(Remember, she was only 5 ft 2 inches and 105 lbs.
) She flew to a new record of 140 feet before she skidded 150-feet on her helmet and back. She broke her back in three places but survived.

Debbie took determination and a positive mind-set into every jump—and her lucky orange bra. Once she began her approach to the take off ramp, she was committed.

"I've always been the kind who, when people say something can't be done, goes out and does it . To know I'm using all my own abilities, that no one else can help me, that's the joy of jumping. I love my motorcycle, when I feel the wind in my face, and I'm free." Many fans might remember her as
"The Flying Angel".

Today Debbie lives in the Southwest United States.