Mary McGee, Pioneer for Women Motorcycle Riders, Dies At Age 87

Mary McGee, a barrier-breaking, Baja 500 dominating, motorcycle legend passed away last week at age 87. She was a pioneer for female race car drivers and motorcycles riders alike, having found her love for motorsports in the 1950s. As one of the first women to race motorcycles in motocross and road racing events in the United States, she paved the way for more to follow in her tire tracks.

According to the Associated Press, McGee’s family said she died of complications from a stroke at her home in Gardnerville, Nevada, on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving and the day prior to the release of the short documentary “Motorcycle Mary” on ESPN’s YouTube channel, which can be seen at the end of this article.

Born in Juneau, Alaska, on Dec. 12, 1936, Mary McGee’s love for motorsports began in December 1957 while racing a Mercedes 300SL with the Sports Car Club of America. McGee raced a variety of sports cars over time, including an AC Bristol, Ferrari Berlinetta, Elva Mark IV, Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar, Lotus 18, Porsche Spyder, and Ferrari Testa Rosa.

Also in 1957, she bought her first motorcycle when a friend needed to sell a 200cc 1956 Triumph Tiger Cub. McGee eventually purchased a Honda C110 for her daily commutes to her job as a parts manager at Flint British Motors.

 In 1960, while she was racing a Porsche Spyder in Santa Barbara, California, the car’s owner, Czech race-car icon Vasek Polak, suggested that she should ride a motorcycle to improve her car-racing skills. McGee responded with, “Okay. Why not?” The rest is history.

She caught the media’s attention with her consistent wins. And in January 1962, a Motor Trend article that started with “Housewives revolt!” ended with her mention; “so ladies if you are bored with freeway traffic, don’t give up. Buy a motorcycle and join Mary McGee.”

McGee became the first woman in the United States to hold an FIM license. She shifted to dirt racing a 250cc 1962 Honda Scrambler, competing in an AMA District 37 enduro in 1963. In 1966, McGee purchased a 250cc CZ and raced it through 1967. In 1967, McGee became the first woman to ride the Baja 500. In 1975, McGee rode a 250 Husqvarna alone in the Baja 500, passing 17 two-man teams, one of the most difficult races she ever competed in.  

“It was very barren, no electricity, no doctors, no phone,” she said in the documentary. “I carried Percodan in case of injury because you’d have to ride injured to get to someplace where someone has a car to get to Ensenada or La Paz to a clinic or back to the States. Luckily, I never had to use the Percodan, but I did come off the bike several times.”

She continued racing motorcycles and cars until her last race in 2012, still remaining a steadfast ambassador for motorcycling and encouraging people (especially women) to ride on two wheels. Today, around one in four riders out on the road on any given Sunday is a woman, and it’s safe to say that McGee had a part in that growing statistic. In 2013, McGee was named an FIM Legend for her pioneering motorcycle racing career. She was inducted into the  AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018.

“As one of the first women to race motorcycles in motocross and road racing events in the United States, McGee inspired generations of women riders across the country with her acts of courage despite facing backlash due to her gender,” said the American Motorcyclist Association.

“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, adding; “Her contributions to motorcycling will never be forgotten, and her legacy within our sport will live on forever.”

“McGee’s unparalleled achievements in off-road racing and motorcycle racing have inspired generations of athletes that followed in her footsteps,” her family said in a statement on social media. “Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism. 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.”

“Mary McGee’s story is not only a testament to her incredible skills and perseverance but also an inspiration to all who dare to break barriers,” said Marsha Cooke, vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films, shortly before the film’s Tribeca premiere. “Motorcycle Mary captures her indomitable spirit and the trailblazing legacy she leaves behind in the world of motorsports.”

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