Stef's SMEG

	This is Gelleråsen (yeller-awsen) race-track in central Sweden. If you live in or around Stockholm this is probably the nearest track. It's about 250 kms away - not exactly local! It's bascially a bunch of curves and one big straight, located in hilly countryside.
	Andy's first trackday - a bit over-ambitious with the late-braking down the straight towards Trösen and it's a trip into the kitty-litter for him and his TT.
	Any off leads to all riders coming in and the ambulance being sent out - Andy didn't wait for it though, which lead to him being followed round the track by it!

	The evening of Sunday 30th July 2000 and more achingly beautiful machinery than you can shake a shitty stick at. Micke's Ducati 996, Andy's Triumph TT600 and my Triumph Daytona 955i, en route to Gelleråsen the night before the trackday. It'll be my first, Andy's second and Micke's umpteenth. Micke's bike had just been repaired after his last crash - also his umpteenth...
	Micke had ridden the whole way with a tank-bag and a rucksack - quite an achievemnt in itself on a 996. The night before had seen torrential rain and hail-stones the size of golfballs fall on the track. We prepped the bikes and waited for the track to dry out. It would drizzle again around lunchtime, but not enough to put a serious damper on our fun.
	Andy watches the fast group, wearing his charming and subtle anti Shirley-Davidson shirt (they're just not proper bikes!)
	Andy blasting down the straight and then out-braking everything in sight. This time without ending up in the gravel trap.
	It's not just the TT's brakes that rock - the engine and handling are top too. Here's Andy punishing his knee-slider round Hårnålen - take that you bastard!
	Me on the straight this time - the only bikes that ever passed me here were a Hayabusa and a race-prepped R1. The Daytona is a demon here, ride the wave of torque from the 3 cylinder fuel-injected engine out of the curve and then blast down the straight, wait until the last moment to use the awesome brakes before tipping into into the right-hander at the end.
	Wacking it round all the twisties is a top grin too, helping me regain my confidence after the crash of the previous year. Still didn't get my bloody knee-down though...
	but at least I didn't crash, which at least 9 of the 55 riders did! Tweaking the suspension, fitting Dymag lightweight magnesium alloy race wheels and Pirelli Dragon Evo tyress made a world of difference to the handling - the only thing that needs improving now is me!
	Two riders came off at Hårnålen within seconds of each other - Micke was one of them. The organisers blamed the riders, we think that water rising up through the track was to blame. Micke's leathers were holed at the elbow and his bike was considerably less beautiful then it was before - but rideable.