White Line Fever

Slippery white lines caused a storm at Buenos Aires, just like they did at May's Spanish GP where world champion Mick Doohan crashed out after touching a damp trackside line.

The victims in Argentina were more numerous - Alex Criville, Kenny Roberts, Valentino Rossi, Norick Abe and Carlos (Chubby) Checa (twice) all tumbling and complaining loudly. "I keep saying we don't even need white lines - we can see where the edge of the track is," stormed Checa. "The lines here are like ice. I was only running in an engine when I touched one on Friday and crashed. We've already lost one of our best riders through this problem, so it's crazy we've had the same trouble here."

A riders' meeting on Friday discussed the problem and GP promoters Dorna have promised to get white lines fixed for 2000.

A special specification paint that offers good grip already exists but most organizers don't bother to use it.

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