Airwaves Ducati :: 2005 British Superbike Champions

Early Beginnings - A Taste For Superbike Sponsorship

In 1986, a friend persuaded Darrell Healey to attend a motorbike race meeting at Brands Hatch and he was instantly hooked on the high-octane, adrenalin fuelled, dynamic and exciting action on the track. Over the next two decades, Darrell's involvement in Superbikes grew as he oversaw the emergence of the GSE Racing Team and turned many people's dreams into reality.

At the time of Darrell's initial taste of Superbike action, he was working part-time for Groundworks South East (now GSE Group) and as his involvement increased within the GSE group- from partner through to the Chairman's position he holds today- so the GSE Racing team grew. Initially, Darrell decided to sponsor local rider Tim Bourne and followed his progress avidly for four years.

"I was completely hooked on Superbikes from the word go and wanted to get involved in some way- the easiest was to support a local rider and Tim fitted the bill perfectly" says Darrell.

In 1991, Darrell moved to Team Green Kawasaki and provided backing as the team competed for the British Superbike Championship. He also extended his involvement in Superbikes by sponsoring the pioneering Roton team (latterly Duckham's Norton), helping Jim Moodie to a second placed ranking in the 1993 British Superbike Championship. Within 12 months, a GSE backed rider, Ian Simpson landed the British Superbike title and Darrell continued to support both Simpson and Phil Borley at Castrol Honda in 1995.