Colin Edwards: The Texas Tornado Touches Down in the U.S.

Colin Edwards is about a lot more than statistics. Sure, we can impress you with his two World Superbike championships, nine seasons in MotoGP, and 12 MotoGP podiums, but it's not just his riding abilities that make fans flock to The Texas Tornado.

"I ride motorcycles a little bit faster than other guys, but I'm normal and the fans know that," Edwards explains. "There's no ego. I am who I am and I think the fans like that."

Edwards is also prone to saying exactly what's on his mind with his typical Texas bravado. He's a cowboy racing elbow-to-elbow with the most elite racers in the world. And this weekend, he's coming home to America to race the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

There's no doubt that fans will come out in force to rally behind Edwards as he pilots his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 M1 around the historic circuit. He would like to get a top finish there, not just for points but also for sentimental value. "That track has a special place in my heart from growing up as a kid, watching the Indy 500 with my dad. I'm looking forward to getting back there," he says.

The Indianapolis Grand Prix is the 12th stop of an 18-race season. Heading into this weekend, Edwards sits in the ninth spot in the championship. He notes the differences between the factory and satellite teams, adding that he and the Tech 3 squad are the highest-ranked satellite team right now.

Still, it hasn't been a season without challenges. "I broke my collarbone in Barcelona, and the next weekend I was on the podium. After that it's been a steady (season)," Edwards explains. That third-place finish came during round six in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It was a welcome change from the heartbreak—and pain—in Barcelona.

It's that kind of determination that has propelled Edwards through crashes, evolving bikes, different teams, and competing against the young talent coming into MotoGP. He's a veteran of the series now, and ready to pass his years of knowledge on to the average rider. He started the Texas Tornado Boot Camp to do just that.

"I thought it would be pointless to have all this experience and crawl in the grave one day without sharing it. We came up with the plan of teaching people how to ride a motorcycle, or how to improve their skills," Edwards says.

Improved riding skills are only one of the benefits for his students, however. "I've guest instructed at a lot of schools, and there was always the same thing: at five o'clock everyone went back to the hotel and the camaraderie was lost a little bit," Edwards explains. He built a hotel and a saloon on his property in Montgomery, Texas, so students are fully immersed in the school. "It's worked out great. We ride a lot of bikes, we teach a lot, we shoot a lot of guns at midday, and at nighttime we tell a lot of stories and drink quite a few beers. It's a dream getaway for anyone who enjoys motorcycles."

LeoVince agrees, and they are sponsors of both the school and the Yamaha Tech 3 team. Edwards says, "They like to market the individual, and they found me and my fan base, and it fits really well with LeoVince. We're lucky to have them and they're very supportive. I've been racing motorcycles for 34 years and I have a lot of information I want to teach people. LeoVince understands the value of that and wants to be a part of it."

Outside of racing, Edwards says his favorite hobby is spending time with his family. "I hang out with my three kids and my wife, trying to spend as much time as I can with them. We just went to Coast Rica a few weeks ago."

He adds, though, that "if someone says family doesn't count as a hobby, then it's guns: reloading lots of bullets and shooting lots of guns."

Motorcycles, guns, beer and family: what other MotoGP racer will cover such an interesting mix of topics in one interview? No wonder Edwards has such a loyal fan base. See him in action this Sunday, August 28, in the Indianapolis Grand Prix, and join the LeoVince family of fans and employees as we cheer for our Texas Tornado.

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