Words: Mike Ingalsbee
Photos: Provided by NORRA
With the recent International Women’s Day on March 8th, many entities are making a point of celebrating women. NORRA does this all year long as women have been a huge part of off road racing since the very beginning. NORRA created sanctioned off road racing in 1967 at the inaugural Mexican 1000. One of the women competing was Mary McGee. Mary was driving a Datsun 510 sedan in her bid to be the first to La Paz. Like most of the competitors, Mary knew little of what she was getting into, but was ready to go racing and looking for an adventure in Baja.
Mary broke many barriers for women racers during her career. Although she did not make it to La Paz in 1967, she was back in 1968 and finished the race. She was the first woman to road race motorcycles and to compete in Motocross in the United States. She was also the first to race the Baja 500 solo on a motorcycle in 1975. Mary retired from racing but always had time to go riding in the desert with her Son and his friends. After several years away from competition, she returned to racing vintage motorcycles on the motocross track.
Mary has inspired so many fans and racers throughout her life. That’s why NORRA awards the Mary McGee trophy to the most deserving woman at the NORRA 500, and Mexican 1000. The very first recipient of the Mary McGee trophy at the NORRA 500 in 2022 is also inspiring on and off the race course. Renee Hudson has been racing UTV’s off-road since 2009. She won the Modified UTV class at the NORRA Mexican 1000 in 2018. She has also been raising money for and awareness of breast cancer through her racing program since she began.
“I knew a little bit about Mary, but when I saw that she was going to be the Grand Marshal of the NORRA 500 I looked her up on the internet to find out what she’s done,” said Renee. “She’s impressive; Very Impressive. A lot of my girlfriends that race motorcycles knew who she was. They were super excited to learn that I was awarded the Mary McGee trophy. I’ve gone back and forth with her quite a bit since then. Mary and I have talked and sent messages, pictures and videos to each other. She’s a really awesome lady.”
We think Renee is awesome too. She is an accomplished business owner, racer and does a lot of charity work. “I started an all-girl team in 2009. We just kind of blossomed and got bigger over the years,” Renee continued. “We’ve been raising money for breast cancer in our local community since 2009. I think we’re up to $177,000 that we’ve donated. Everything I do is to benefit women.
I want to get more women involved in racing and it seems like a lot of the younger girls are starting to do that. I feel like I had a part in that with some of the girls who are now racing; especially in Parker and Havasu where we are located. It gave them the tools and the attitude that you can do this just as well as anybody else. I know several of these young girls that are still in high school and even younger who are out there racing UTVs or quads or motorcycles. They come to me to sponsor them and I’m happy to do it because they’re amazing.”
The winner of the Mary McGee trophy has the honor of awarding the next recipient of the trophy. Luckily for NORRA there are dozens of women to choose from who are competing at the next NORRA race, the Mexican 1000 that takes place on April 28th to May 5th in Baja Mexico.
Will the Mary McGee trophy go to another UTV racer? Only time will tell, but there are several strong candidates going into the race. Kristen Matlock is an overall stage winner. She won Stage one and two on day five of the Mexican 1000 last year.
She was not simply the UTV winner, she won overall. Her time was faster than the Trophy Trucks and unlimited buggies. Another strong contender is Shelby Hall who is racing a 2021 Can Am X3 max Turbo S in the Evolution Stock Turbo UTV class. Maybe Anna D’Amico will wrestle the trophy away from the UTV classes with her Pioneer 4×4 class 1972 Ford Bronco? Only Baja knows.
The best thing about the NORRA Mexican 1000 is the shared experiences, and friendships made along the way. Competitors range from icons and current racing professionals like Renee Hudson to adventure seekers from all walks of life. The rally stops at a new town along the way every night as they work their way down the Baja Peninsula.
This gives competitors a chance to experience the many unique areas of Baja. Many participants make a note of their favorite places along the way and then spend even more time there on the trip back. The Mexican 1000 encompasses the thrill of competition, the rich culture of Baja and lasting memories for everyone involved.