Longtime motorsports journalist and public relations contractor Penny Nicolai died May 4 at her home in Van Nuys, California. She was 73. Nicolai did work for AMA Pro Racing. She is survived by her daughter Tamara Nicolai.

More, from a statement issued by Steve McLaughlin:

Penny was one of the few professional people who came to our sport from the outside world with no attachment to riding. Penny worked her almost 40 years in Motorsport to enhance and expand the image of motorcycle racing and racers.

I was lucky to meet Penny when we hired her to replace the PR person when I was the director of marketing and promotion for Mike Goodwin in the early ’70’s.

More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing:

Statement from AMA Pro Racing on the passing of Penny Nicolai:

“AMA Pro Racing is deeply saddened by the loss of longtime motorsports journalist and public relations consultant Penny Nicolai. Over a prolific career that spanned decades, Nicolai covered nearly every facet of motorsports. She spent the last several years working as a communications consultant in the AMA Pro Road Racing and AMA Pro Flat Track paddocks. Her contributions to the sport will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”

The family has requested that any contributions to assist with funeral expenses be sent via PayPal to Tamara Nicolai ([email protected]). Business colleagues are invited to an open house at Penny’s longtime residence in Van Nuys, Calif. on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. For additional information, please RSVP to Tamara Nicolai at the email address above.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.