The Gods who fell from the sky A true story. I consider the decades of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties to be turbulent yet wonderful years like no other before or since. John Glenn orbited the earth in a space capsule, the US beat the Russians and put the first man on the moon, personal computers were a fantasy of the future and people were limited to talking on the phone only as far as a cord could reach. The Western world was “rocked” by Elvis Presley and Beatlemania. The uniform of the day from the teenager girls to grannies was the wonderful mini skirt, not forgetting those glorious hotpants!!, the contraception pill was born, bringing with it the hippie movement, "free love" and “flower power” with slogans of "make love, not war." I was a young man, discovering all the delights the world had to offer, living in a new and exciting country, standing shoulder to shoulder with my comrades in the Rhodesian bush war, thumbing our noses at the rest of the world. As I reflect on those years it is brought home to me how very fortunate I was to be a part of them. To live where I lived, to love the special people I loved and to discover at a young age, the path down which my dreams and destiny lead. In 1973“The Little Chev”, was designed and developed in Southern Africa. It proved to be unbeatable by the world's fastest cars, so in the annals of motor racing history legends were there for the making. Two men had the privilege of driving and developing these cars turning them and the car into legends world wide: Basil van Rooyen South African champion and the brainchild behind the “Little Chev” he designed and developed the car for GM South Africa supervising the building and setting up of the race and rally cars, as well as the formation of the dealer team. Driving his race car A1 in 72 and 73. Dick Mawson Rhodesian power boat and motor sports champion, acquiring the car he developed and drove his race car A2 from 73—81. Winning over eighty races in the car to add to his already impressive record. The path I chose, with the disabilities I had ,is responsible for who I became. It is a story of love and determination; with an amputated right leg and the left badly damaged, my tenacity and will to win overrode the fear and possibility of crippling myself for life. I opened and fulfilled the contents of every envelope and followed my destiny to its fruition. In Europe and the UK in the Sixties the most sought after work force were South Africans, Rhodesians, Kiwi's and Aussies, all renowned for their hard work and ethical code, it was no exception in the pits of International F1 and Sports car racing. I was lucky enough to work the circuits of Europe and to be involved in the design, development and driving of the world's fastest cars. A determined and unwavering fight as a young man, to fulfil the ambition burning within me to be the best at whatever cost. My Book “ The Gods who fell from the sky” As a child my family and I miraculously survive a plane crash in the wilds of Africa and to the natives who found us we were: “Gods who had fallen from the sky” I lose my leg at eleven which leads me to seek a means by which I can compete on level ground with my fellow man. The love of speed and mobility that only a machine could give me is born. A recreational family motor boat opens that door and leads me to race and become a champion on water. At last I feel on equal terms with my fellow man in a sport that does not require me to run, jump, or kick. I no longer feel inadequate because a leg falls off every time I dive for a ball or attempt to protect a goal. Piloting a F1 hydroplane, I survive a 100 mph accident at Victoria Falls whilst racing for Rhodesia; Badly damaging my left leg and face. To appease Mom I decide on a safer sport - motor racing! What else was one to do with no legs! I excel in the sport and leave for Europe to follow my dream where I find love with Britt, only to lose her in a car crash. I worked the circuits of Europe and was involved in the driving, design and development of the world's fastest sports and saloon cars. I accomplish my dreams in Europe and return to Africa to follow the road down which destiny has led me. I meet my future wife and soul-mate, the beautiful Penny a junior Miss Rhodesia, around whose life my universe revolved. I have ridden a trail bike along the power lines at Kariba where I was chased by a very angry Momma lion after nearly landing on top of her and her cubs. I have looked into the jaws of an 18 foot crocodile on Lake Kariba, whose putrid breath turned my stomach, in a desperate battle to wrench the foot of a friend from those same jaws, whose intention it was to turn him into lunch. I have ridden motorcycles with the Champions of Africa and Europe and excelled with them. I have bungee jumped from the Victoria Falls and Bloukrans River Bridges, reputed to be some of the highest jumps in the world. I was the first amputee to Ice skate, water and snow ski as well as hold an international motor racing licence. I fought alongside my Penny for 36 years, to defeat clinical depression after the loss of three children, victory was ours in the end only to be cheated by her death. I have made many friends over the years, including World Champions who will bear witness to my achievements. In the Seventies I was seconded to the Special Forces as a Sargent in the Rhodesian Army, and have been awarded medals for meritorious conduct in covert ops inside Rhodesia and across her boarder. I acquired, raced and developed the fastest saloon car in the world and in twenty five years of racing won over 300 trophies. This story celebrates the mountains I've conquered and acceptance of the painful valleys I have crawled my way out of. Its a tribute to my love of speed and a special tribute to three phenomenal women who shared and blessed my life. My Mother once commented! “My son you are a champion and racing is in your blood. You have tasted death twice in your fifteen years and by God’s grace you remained with us. Your life is in his hands not mine so who am I to deny you the pleasure you derive from your racing and to interfere with the destiny God has ordained for you.” These words were very deep and at that age perhaps a little over my head once again, but in all my years I have never forgotten them. A life lived to the full . mawson44@hotmail.com