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GARDNERVILLE, Nev. — Mary McGee, a feminine racing pioneer and topic profiled in an Oscar-contending documentary “Bike Mary,” has died, her household mentioned. She was 87.
“McGee’s unparalleled achievements in off-road racing and bike racing have impressed generations of athletes that adopted in her footsteps,” her household mentioned in a press release.
The household mentioned McGee died of issues from a stroke at her residence in Gardnerville, Nevada, on Wednesday, the day earlier than the discharge of the brief documentary “Bike Mary” on ESPN’s YouTube channel. Seven-time Method 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was an govt producer on the movie, which grew to become accessible globally on Thursday. Its premiere was on the Tribeca Pageant in June.
“Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism,” McGee’s household wrote on social media. “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 these round her. Whereas we’re deeply saddened by this loss, we’re comforted realizing that her gentle will proceed to shine in everybody she touched.”
McGee had an achieved racing resume, first in auto racing and later in bike racing. She grew to become the primary individual — man or lady — to finish solo the grueling Baja 500 off-road race in Mexico, which she did in 1975.
The movie about her was directed by Haley Watson. Two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot additionally was an govt producer.
“I’m deeply saddened by this information, however I’m comforted to know that Mary was surrounded by family and friends on the time of her passing,” Watson mentioned. “In early 2022, I used to be researching tales once I got here throughout Mary’s. That discovery marked the tipping level into uncovering a a lot bigger and really unimaginable profession in motorsports and life journey.”
Shortly after her household introduced her dying, Hamilton paid tribute on his Instagram account: “I’m deeply saddened to listen to that Mary McGee, the primary lady to highway race bikes in the usand the primary individual to solo the Baja 500 has handed on,” Hamilton wrote. “My condolences to her household and everybody who she’s impressed. Her legacy will stay on as a trailblazer on the planet of motorsports and past.”
Born in Juneau, Alaska, throughout World Conflict II, McGee and her older brother had been despatched to Iowa to stay with their grandparents. Her brother grew to become a race automotive driver and inspired his sister to take up the game, though it was virtually unprecedented for girls at the moment.
Racing group proprietor Vasek Polak persuaded McGee to drive a Porsche Spyder, and he or she received races. Polak later persuaded her to attempt bike racing and he or she additionally excelled.
Steve McQueen, the late actor and racing fanatic, was the one who persuaded McGee to participate within the Baja 500.
McGee was the primary lady to race motocross in the USA, the primary to compete in a world motocross competitors and the primary to obtain sponsorships from main manufacturers.
She was one of the crucial influential girls within the historical past of motorsports and identified for her mentorship of different girls in racing.
McGee was inducted into the AMA Bike Corridor of Fame in 2018.
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