RIP Motorcycle Icon Mary McGee (1936-2024)
Mary McGee, the first person – man or woman – to complete the Baja 500 solo on two wheels, has passed away. She was 87.
McGee was a trailblazer in motorsports on both two and four wheels, as she was one of the first women to compete in both categories starting in the 1950s. More than just a grid filler, McGee was talented and determined, often finishing ahead of many of the men she was competing against.
After getting her start in auto racing, McGee switched her focus to road racing motorcycles in 1957 and again impressed by beating a lot of the men. This led to thinly-veiled rule changes to make it harder for her to beat the guys, but McGee persevered and continued racing. She switched to off-road racing in 1963, and in 1967 competed in her first Baja 500. By 1972 she cemented her legendary status by becoming the first person to complete the Baja 500 on a motorcycle alone.
As much as McGee was revered while she was on track, it was her positive and infectious personality that endeared her to the hearts of many, including (or maybe especially) to young girls who saw themselves in her – a woman not only participating, but thriving – in a male-dominated sport.
The ESPN documentary series 30 for 30 published its long-awaited documentary about McGee yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, one day after McGee’s passing. In it we see and hear McGee’s story told through her own voice. While it’s unfortunate she passed before the documentary’s release, fortunately she lived long enough to see it.
AMA Mourns the Passing of Motorcycling Pioneer and AMA Hall of Famer Mary McGee
McGee served as a driving force for women riders throughout her remarkable life
The American Motorcyclist Association mourns the loss of motorcycling icon and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Mary McGee — a pioneer for women riders — who passed away on Nov. 27. She was 87 years old.
As one of the first women to race motorcycles in motocross and road racing events in the United States, McGee inspired generations or women riders across the country with her acts of courage despite facing backlash due to her gender.
“Mary McGee devoted her life to promoting the motorcycling lifestyle to women throughout America, and did so with unrelenting passion and spirit,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Her contributions to motorcycling will never be forgotten, and her legacy within our sport will live on forever.”
Born in Juneau, Alaska, on Dec. 12, 1936, McGee spent much of her youth away from motorcycling. McGee moved to the continental United States at a very young age to live with her grandparents in Iowa. In 1944, McGee’s family moved to Phoenix, Ariz.
McGee’s love for auto racing began in the 1950s. In 1957, her focus shifted to motorcycling as she hopped aboard two wheels for the first time, learning to ride on a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub that she bought from a friend.
Soon after, McGee became the first woman in the United States to hold an FIM license.
Getting her start in road racing — with the goal of improving her car racing skills — McGee shifted to dirt racing in 1963, competing in an AMA District 37 enduro aboard a 250cc 1962 Honda Scrambler.
In 1967, McGee became the first woman to ride the Baja 500. Eight years later, McGee completed the event — which is typically a two-person race — solo.
McGee continued to compete — racing both motorcycles and cars — until 2011. Throughout her career, McGee remained a steadfast ambassador for motorcycling, encouraging people — most notably, women — to ride.
For her efforts as a competitor and advocate for women in motorcycling, McGee was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Rip you are a champ
A true pioneer and trailblazer. Stud status