Two pioneering off-road legends, Malcolm Smith and Mary McGee, passed away on November 27, 2023. Their deaths marked the end of an era in motorsports history, with both leaving behind remarkable legacies that shaped the future of off-road racing.

Mary McGee, who died at 87 in her Nevada home, was a true pioneer for women in motorsports. Her unprecedented achievements include:

• First woman to race Motocross in the US
• First woman to compete with Europeans in International motocross
• First woman off-road truck/vehicle racer (1967 NORRA Mexican 1000)
• First woman off-road factory truck racer (1967-1969 NORRA BRE Datsun team)
• First woman off-road major race finisher (1968 NORRA Mexican 1000)
• Only woman to ride/finish the SCORE Baja 500 solo (1975)

McGee's journey began in road racing, where she won an SCCA class championship by 1961 driving a Porsche 550 Spyder. Her transition to motorcycles came after Steve McQueen's encouragement at a New Year's Eve party in 1963, leading to her becoming the first woman to enter an organized desert race in 1964.

Malcolm Smith, known for his starring role in "On Any Sunday" (1971), fought a long battle with Parkinson's disease before his passing. His humble demeanor and extraordinary talent made him one of American motorcycling's most influential figures. As Bruce Brown noted, "Malcolm says On Any Sunday made him, but I think Malcolm helped make the movie."

Smith maintained his positive attitude even while battling Parkinson's, writing in his 2015 autobiography: "The Parkinson's worries me, but meds help keep it mostly under control. Hey, that's just life, and I accept it. Still, I wouldn't trade my life for anything."

Both legends shared a love for motorcycles, desert riding, and Baja racing. Their passing coincided with the Thanksgiving release of "Motorcycle Mary" on ESPN's YouTube channel, a documentary celebrating McGee's pioneering spirit, with Lewis Hamilton as executive producer.

Their legacies continue to inspire new generations of off-road enthusiasts, proving that determination, passion, and a willingness to break barriers can create lasting change in motorsports.

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