Motorsport Icon Mary McGee passes. First women motorcycle roadracer in the US.
Motorsports is often seen as a sport fit for men, but Mary McGee took it upon herself to break this age-old barrier and idea. While the likes of Danica Patrick and Hailie Deegan have paved the way for women’s representation in auto racing, it was McGee who laid down the foundation for bringing about this change. And the world is certainly going to miss her energy and light as she completed her life race, passing away at the age of 87.
She was the first woman to compete in motorcycle road racing and motocross events in the United States. Her story was not just fuel to the young and up-coming female drivers but also for legends like Lewis Hamilton. The 7-time Formula 1 champion took to Instagram to pay tribute and respect McGee with a short video.
McGee started competing at the Sports Car Club of America in 1957. It wasn’t just normal racing; she excelled and began racking up wins, which eventually caught the attention of the media. This adventure continued until the summer of 1964, when she focused on her motorcycling racing career. However, the big standout from her two-wheel racing stint is the triumph of the Baja 500 race, passing 17 two-man teams.
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