Mary McGee, racer who broke ground as ‘Motorcycle Mary,’ dies at 87
Among her many achievements in motorsports, Ms. McGee in 1975 became the first solo racer to complete the grueling Baja 500 in Mexico.

By Associated Press November 30, 2024



{snip}

Mary McGee, racer who broke ground as ‘Motorcycle Mary,’ dies at 87
Story by Associated Press • 2d • 2 min read

{Snip picture; it's a duplicate of the one in the Post.}

Mary McGee, racer who broke ground as ‘Motorcycle Mary,’ dies at 87
© Breakwater Studios/AP

Mary McGee, a groundbreaking woman in motorsports whose career was profiled in the documentary “Motorcycle Mary,” died Nov. 27 at her home in Gardnerville, Nevada. She was 87. ... The cause was complications from a stroke, said a family statement.

Ms. McGee died a day before the release of “Motorcycle Mary” on ESPN’s YouTube channel. Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was an executive producer on the film, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival in June. (The film was directed by Haley Watson, and two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot was an executive producer.)

Ms. McGee had an accomplished racing résumé, first in auto racing and later in motorcycle racing. She became the first person — man or woman — to complete the grueling Baja 500 off-road race in Mexico solo, which she did in 1975.

Mary Connor was born in Juneau, Alaska, on Dec. 12, 1936. During World War II, Mary and her older brother were sent to Iowa to live with their grandparents. Her brother became a racecar driver and encouraged his sister to take up the sport, even though it was almost unprecedented for women at that time.... She married Don McGee, a mechanic, in 1956. Racing team owner Vasek Polak persuaded Ms. McGee to drive a Porsche Spyder, and she started to win races. Polak later persuaded her to try motorcycle racing. ... Steve McQueen, the late actor and racing enthusiast, persuaded Ms. McGee to take part in the Baja 500.

She was the first woman to race motocross in the United States, the first to compete in an international motocross competition and the first to receive sponsorships from major brands. She was one of the most influential women in the history of motorsports and known for her mentorship of other women in racing. ... Complete information on survivors was not immediately available. ... Ms. McGee was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mary McGee Dies: Motorsports Legend And Star Of Oscar-Contending Documentary ‘Motorcycle Mary’ Was 87

By Matthew Carey
November 27, 2024 8:41pm


Mary McGee
Courtesy of the Family of Mary McGee

Mary McGee, the motor racing legend profiled in the Oscar-contending documentary Motorcyle Mary, died Wednesday in Gardnerville, Nev., according to her family. She was 87.

“Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism,” McGee’s family wrote on Facebook. The post did not disclose a cause of death. “She was a historic athlete and a motorsports pioneer who embraced life’s challenges, cared deeply for others, and made time to brighten the lives of those around her. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are comforted knowing that her light will continue to shine in everyone she touched.”

Motorcycle Mary, which held its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in June, documents McGee’s triumphs first in auto racing and later in motorcycle racing on track and the open country. She became the first person – man or woman – to complete solo the grueling Baja 500 off-road race in Mexico. The ESPN 30 for 30 film, directed by Haley Watson and executive produced by Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot, will debut Thursday on ESPN’s YouTube channel.

{snip}