Team Members
Darrell Healey
Role: Team PrincipalHome Town: Canterbury
Years with GSE: Since the beginning
Thoughts on BSB: “A fantastically competitive race series with a tremendous media and general public support”
As founder and team principle, Darrell has been with GSE since the beginning. Darrell’s success on the track is mirrored in business having built GSE Group into a highly successful company. Away from the track Darrell likes travelling, fast cars and the odd round of golf. His favourite moments are Troy Bayliss winning the world championship and James Toseland's first WSB win in 2003.
Colin Wright
Role: Team ManagerHome Town: Scothern
Years with GSE: 10
Thoughts on BSB: GSE Racing has enjoyed many successes over the years thanks to a great team effort. I’m confident we can again, play a major part in the 2008 Championship. I’m sure it will be the most exciting season ever!! Our target is to relieve Honda of the number one plate. 2007 was not good enough, in my eyes we must do better!!
Colin started in motorsport with Kawasaki in 1978. His favourite moments are his British Superbike Title wins and winning the World Superbike round at Donington Park as a wild card with Neil Hodgson. He likes getting the job done and hates excuses.
Dave Parkes
Role: Chief Mechanic Shane / Workshop ForemanHome Town: Coventry
Years with GSE: 11
Thoughts on BSB: Last year, we should not have lost the title, but we will come back stronger this year
A motorsport veteran for a number of years, Dave has been with GSE since the ‘beginning of the adventure’ in 1997 and is delighted to still be with the team as they return to BSB this year. He’s been involved in 7 British titles and 2 World championships in the past and also has Touring Cars experience. His favourite circuits include Laguna Seca and he names GSE’s World Superbike win at Donington in 2000 as his favourite moment in motorsport. Away from the circuits, Dave enjoys golf, motorcross and Italian food and rates Ian Botham amongst his sports heroes.
Pete Bancewicz
Role: Mechanic for LeonHome Town: Stockport
Years with GSE: 10
Thoughts on BSB: Last years championship started off great and then we struggled mid season but we will try our hardest to ensure that does not happen this year.
Another stalwart from the early GSE days, Pete brings huge amounts of experience to the team as well as specific Ducati knowledge from his spell there in 2004. He is setting his sights high for this season, hoping to win the Championship and repeat memories of GSE’s success in ’99, a moment he still describes as his favourite in Superbikes. A hugely popular figure, Pete also enjoys the odd beer and honing his guitar playing skills when not providing mechanical expertise for rider Leon Camier.
Frankie Carchedi
Role: Race Engineer to Leon CamierHome Town: Lincoln
Years with GSE: 8
Thoughts on BSB: Last year it was a big disappointment to not win the championship so I am really looking forward to rectifying that this year! It was another fantastic year though with the team clocking up 12 race wins and fighting well for the championship in such a tough domestic championship! 2008 is an exiting year for Airwaves Ducati, with two new riders and a new bike. I am looking forward to working with a talented up and coming rider, and who knows... hopefully we can regain the championship!
Another one of the team who was part of GSE’s early days in Superbikes, Frankie is looking forward to competing hard for the Championship this year with memories still fresh of GSE’s success. ‘Funtime’ has been analysing telemetry and performance data for over 5 years and hates losing. A tough competitor, Frankie is a big fan of former GSE rider, Troy Bayliss. His one superstition is to have a drink with the sponsorship manager on Saturday night! The team have never finished lower than second since they started. Frankie attributes this to the teams experience: 'I think if you add the years between us all it would amount to over 50 years!! which speaks for itself. It's one big happy family hence the success, we have all had.'
Mandy Cooper
Role: Pa to team manager/ Hospitality & events coordinatorHome Town: Bridge of Allan, Stirlinglingshire
Years with GSE: 7
Thoughts on BSB: Last year was real nail biting stuff, the quality & competitiveness of the riders & bikes made for an excellent Championship. It's going to be an exciting season; we've got new riders and new bikes. A lot of the other teams have new riders and everyone has new tyres so the championship has all the potential to be unmissable. I can't wait for the first race.
Mandy returned to GSE last year to provide undoubted professionalism and support off the track- she will take charge of much of the off track logistics, most particularly managing sponsor events and all the hospitality aspects at the races. She has a huge experience of British Superbikes since starting with GSE in 2001 (initially part time) and is intent on making sure GSE Racing has the ‘best hospitality and team in the paddock’. Although by her own admittance, she didn’t follow the team’s early success, she is now completely hooked on the two wheel action. Away from the track, Mandy is a keen sailor and rates Steve Redgrave amongst her heroes. 'It's honestly the best job in the world working for the team!'
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