Henny Ray Abrams strikes a skeptical pose while talking with Ben Spies and the Yoshimura Suzuki crew at Daytona in 2008. (Larry Lawrence photos)

I’m still stunned and in disbelief at the news that my friend and colleague Henny Ray Abrams has passed away. He was found by friends dead at his computer this morning after Cycle News editor Paul Carruthers contacted racer Dave Roper, asking him to go check on Henny, since Henny hadn’t gotten back with him after repeated attempts.

Henny was the hardest working motorcycle racing journalist and photographer I knew. He was a man of great integrity and behind his cynical New Yorker façade, was a deeply caring person. He helped me along the way so many times over the years.

One example: When AMA Pro Racing did not renew my media relations contract after the 2001 season, after a conflict with Mat Mladin, Henny basically started a letter writing campaign with many of the teams and people in the industry to tell the AMA to keep me on board. A few weeks later the AMA signed me to be the media manager for the AMA Motocross Series. I’m sure Henny’s efforts were central in keeping me in the industry.

I’ve received numerous calls from mutual friends today and we’re all still reeling over Henny’s loss.

I’ll post more info as I receive it.

Here’s a column I wrote about Henny in 2009. — Larry Lawrence