For motorcycle enthusiasts in the US last week, it was a bittersweet time. On the one hand, a short holiday week, which is always nice. On the other, the passing of two certifiable North American motorcycle racing legends. Malcolm Smith left this world on November 26, at the age of 83, and just one day later, on November 27, Mary McGee left this world at age 87.
Both were, objectively speaking, cruel blows.
However, the loss of McGee feels like an extra little knife twist because it happened the literal day before ESPN planned to launch the much-lauded short documentary about her racing career, titled Motorcycle Mary, into wide release.
Directed by Haley Watson and executive produced by seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot, the just-under-23-minute-long film is a joyous, unflinching look at McGee's racing career, told in McGee's own words.
For those unfamiliar with McGee, she grew up incredibly close with her older brother, Jim. Born in Juneau, Alaska, both she and her brother were sent away to live with their grandparents in Iowa during World War II. Their mother was not allowed to go with them, because she was a nurse and her services were required, but she was later able to reunite with her family in the midwest.
Growing up, as is the habit of many an older sibling, Jim did his best to look out for Mary, who was a few years younger than he. As he got into racing cars, one day he convinced Mary to try her hand at it. And the rest, as they say, is history; history you absolutely need to hear Mary tell you about in her own words by watching this film right now.
The story of Mary McGee isn't only an inspirational story for aspiring women in male-dominated fields, such as motorsport (although it is most certainly that as well). It's a story for anyone who just wants to go out and do the thing, regardless of whether it's regarded as what's 'normal' or 'acceptable.'
To hear her tell it, she found out how much fun racing was by doing it. So she wanted to keep doing it, and that was that. Early on in her career, she also relates how she learned that just saying yes to opportunities when they presented themselves was really the key to living her best life.
When Steve McQueen challenged Mary to go from the road racing she was comfortable with to getting into off-road and motocross, she said yes. When the chance to race in the Baja 500 came up, she said yes. When she finished, she became the first solo racer ever, of any gender, to complete the event.
What an absolute legend. Please, do yourself a favor, watch her doc, and let it inspire you to go out and say yes.
