November 29, 2024, 10:05 am
Main image thanks to AMA/Willie Browning
The motocross market lost 2 icons today: racer and On Any Sunday star Malcolm Smith died at age 83 on Tuesday and on Wednesday, leader Mary McGee passed away at 87. Both were members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame (Smith a member of the Class of 1998, McGee a member of the Class of 2018) and real legends of the sport. Godspeed to both Malcolm Smith and Mary McGee.
McGee was among the very first females to race bikes in the United States and was the extremely first female to race the Baja 500 solo. She was included in an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary (entitled Bike Mary) about her life and how she got associated with motorbike racing.
The following news release is from the American Motorcyclist Association:
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association grieves the loss of motorcycling icon and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Mary McGee– a leader for females riders– who died on Nov. 27. She was 87 years of ages.
As one of the very first ladies to race bikes in motocross and roadway racing occasions in the United States, McGee motivated generations or females riders throughout the nation with her acts of nerve regardless of dealing with reaction due to her gender.
“Mary McGee committed her life to promoting the motorcycling way of life to ladies throughout America, and did so with relentless enthusiasm and spirit,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman stated. “Her contributions to motorcycling will never ever be forgotten, and her tradition within our sport will reside on permanently.”
Born in Juneau, Alaska, on Dec. 12, 1936, McGee invested much of her youth far from motorcycling. McGee transferred to the continental United States at an extremely young age to cope with her grandparents in Iowa. In 1944, McGee’s household transferred to Phoenix, Ariz.
McGee’s love for vehicle racing started in the 1950s. In 1957, her focus moved to motorcycling as she hopped aboard 2 wheels for the very first time, discovering to ride on a 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub that she purchased from a good friend.
Right after, McGee ended up being the very first lady in the United States to hold an FIM license.
Getting her start in roadway racing– with the objective of enhancing her automobile racing abilities– McGee moved to dirt racing in 1963, contending in an AMA District 37 enduro aboard a 250cc 1962 Honda Scrambler.
In 1967, McGee ended up being the very first female to ride the Baja 500. 8 years later on, McGee finished the occasion — which is generally a two-person race– solo.
McGee continued to complete — racing both motorbikes and vehicles– up until 2011. Throughout her profession, McGee stayed an unfaltering ambassador for motorcycling, motivating individuals– most especially, females– to ride.
For her efforts as a rival and supporter for females in motorcycling,