Racer Profile – Grandma Wins Against the Boys on a ZX10R

Me and the man are currently on our way up to Tahoe to rock the pow. It’s been raining forever and a day and it’s time to go do work in the snow. I don’t have a lot of time to write, but I’m not sure any amount of writing could give this fast chick the honor she deserves.

So Edda Tully is no ordinary grandma. Young, 5’10”, exceptionally fit and loaded with determination and racing intelligence, Edda raced her ZX10R in 2008 to win five SMRI class championships. That’s right – championships, meaning she raced the full season and kicked ASS doing so. As a novice, she won the Novice Open class, Novice 1000, and SMRI’s womens’ class, Formula Femme.

In her own words:

“Yes, I am a 46 year old grandmother to 5 year old Angelo. I’ve been married to a wonderful man, Charles for 11 wonderful years and who is forever known as my “Pit Monkey.” Mother of two blessings, my daughter Trista 25, and my son Justin, 20, who’s a U.S. Marine.

“I started racing at the end of 2007, participating in only three races. However, in 2008 I decided to take racing to the next step and competed in 5 classes. I race an ’04 Kawasaki ZX10R, and my street bike is an ’06 ZX10R. At the end of 2008 and a full race season completed I was promoted to Expert in addition to winning 5 championships. Should be interesting as I’ll be cutting it up with fast boys in 2009.”

I wish she could come out and race with us in Vegas, or at Miller (although I don’t think I’ll be able to make Miller – the WERA race there conflicts with our AFM race at Infineon and if the AFM institutes the womens’ class we’ve been lobbying for, I’ll of course have to race it). She is, like, one of those women you should see written up in a legit magazine. Doesn’t Cosmo or Glamour have a yearly competition for the “Fun, Fearless Female” of the year, or something lame like that? They would never choose someone as cool and accomplished as Edda, that’s for damn sure.

Race Day Diet:
I don’t eat a whole lot during the day but do stay hydrated. Bananas, protein bars, granola bars.

Inspiration:
My husband and coach, my son who’s a U.S. Marine and deploying to Iraq Feb 9, 2009, my daughter, grandson and the rest of my family and friends.

Why racing:
My dad was a stock car racer for 16 years. The last 3 years he was undefeated it’s also where I got my passion for speed and my race number.

Have you ever raced against your husband:
Charles and I have done track days together but our first race against each other was the last race weekend of 2008. It was tons of fun and to be honest, I can’t wait to do it again…

Edda & Her Marine

Edda's 10