GARDNERVILLE, Nev. (AP) — Mary McGee, a female racing pioneer and subject profiled in an Oscar-contending documentary “Motorcycle Mary,” has died, her family said. She was 87.
“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.
The family said McGee died of complications from a stroke at her home in Gardnerville, Nevada, on Wednesday, the day before the release of the short documentary “Motorcycle Mary” on ESPN’s YouTube channel. Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was an executive producer on the film, which became available globally on Thursday. Its premiere was at the Tribeca Festival in June.
“Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism,” McGee’s family 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 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.”
McGee had an accomplished racing resume, first in auto racing and later in motorcycle racing. She became the first person — man or woman — to complete the grueling Baja 500 off-road race in Mexico solo, which she did in 1975.
The film about her was directed by Haley Watson. Two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot also was an executive producer.
“I’m deeply saddened by this news, but I am comforted to know that Mary was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her passing," Watson said. “In early 2022, I was researching stories when I came across Mary’s. That discovery marked the tipping point into uncovering a much larger and truly incredible career in motorsports and life journey.”
Shortly after her family announced her death, Hamilton paid tribute on his Instagram account: “I’m deeply saddened to hear that Mary McGee, the first woman to road race motorcycles in the U.S and the first person to solo the Baja 500 has passed on," Hamilton wrote. “My condolences to her family and everyone who she’s inspired. Her legacy will live on as a trailblazer in the world of motorsports and beyond.”
Born in Juneau, Alaska, during World War II, McGee and her older brother were sent to Iowa to live with their grandparents. Her brother became a race car driver and encouraged his sister to take up the sport, even though it was almost unprecedented for women at that time.
Racing team owner Vasek Polak persuaded McGee to drive a Porsche Spyder, and she won races. Polak later persuaded her to try motorcycle racing and she also excelled.
Steve McQueen, the late actor and racing enthusiast, was the one who persuaded McGee to take part in the Baja 500.
McGee was the first woman to race motocross in the United States, the first to compete in an international motocross competition and the first to receive sponsorships from major brands.
She was one of the most influential women in the history of motorsports and known for her mentorship of other women in racing.
McGee was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
In this undated image made from a video provided by Breakwater Studios shows Mary McGee during an interview. (Breakwater Studios via AP)
Athletic Bilbao cruised past Elfsborg 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday to join Lazio at the top the 36-team standings,
Lazio missed a chance to remain the only team with a perfect record after five games as it was held 0-0 by Ludogorets at Stadio Olimpico. In Spain, Adama Boiro, Benat Prados and Gorku Guruzeta all scored for Bilbao.
Like in the new-look Champions League, the top eight teams after the eight-round league phase advance directly to the round of 16 in March, and teams placed from ninth to 24th enter a playoffs in February.
Manchester United hosted Norwegian champion Bodø/Glimt later Thursday with new manager Rúben Amorim taking charge of his first game at Old Trafford.
Also, Tottenham was at home against struggling Roma.
Galatasaray drew 1-1 away at AZ Alkmaar after Victor Osimhen equalized for the Turkish club before halftime with his third goal in his last two Europa League games. Sven Mijnans scored early for Alkmaar, which finished the game with 10 men after substitute Kees Smit was sent off in injury time.
Georges Mikaukadze scored two goals while substitute Corentin Tolisso and Malick Fofana added one each for Lyon to rout host Qarabag 4-1.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv ended a four-game losing run with a 3-1 victory over Besiktas in a game that was played at a neutral venue in Debrecen, Hungary, after Turkish authorities decided not to host match.
That decision followed unrest after Maccabi’s recent Europa League game in Amsterdam, where at least five fans were injured in violent street attacks, after their team’s 5-0 loss to Ajax.
The game was played without fans at the request of Hungarian authorities.
Gavriel Kanichowsky, Dor Perets and Weslley Patati had a goal apiece for the Israeli team, while Rafa Silva netted for Besiktas.
Dynamo Kyiv lost its fifth straight game, this time 2-1 to Viktoria Plzeň. The consolation goal for the Ukrainian team, scored by Vladyslav Kobaiev in stoppage time, was the first for Dynamo in the competition.
In the third-tier Conference League, Chelsea kept a perfect record with a fourth straight win, 2-0 away at Heidenheim.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Dor Peretz scores his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Besiktas and Maccabi Tel Aviv, at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Maccabi Tel Aviv's players celebrate after Dor Peretz scored his side's second goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Besiktas and Maccabi Tel Aviv, at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Besiktas' Ciro Immobile misses a penalty during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Besiktas and Maccabi Tel Aviv, at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Lazio's Patric, left, and Ludogorets' Rwan Cruz fight for the ball during an Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Ludogorets, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Lazio's Samuel Grigot, left, and Ludogorets' Son fight for the ball during an Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Ludogorets, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Lazio's Gustav Isaksen, top, and Ludogorets' Aslak Fonn Witry fight for the ball during an Europa League soccer match between Lazio and Ludogorets, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen, centre, heads the ball during the Europa League soccer match between Alkmaar and Galatasaray at AFAS stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen gestures during the Europa League soccer match between Alkmaar and Galatasaray at AFAS stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, centre, is shown with a red card during the Europa League soccer match between Alkmaar and Galatasaray at AFAS stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
Elfsborg's Emil Holten jumps on Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper Unai Simon during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and Elfsborg at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Elfsborg's Besfort Zeneli runs for the ball during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and Elfsborg at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Elfsborg's Rami Kaib jumps for the ball against Athletic Bilbao's Gorka Guruzeta during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and Elfsborg at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
