This year, the organisers of the Dakar have decided to balance the sporting aspect by changing the technical regulations in the car and bike classes. Some petrol vehicles will benefit from an aid that will allow them to reduce the gap that grew with the diesel technologies that have been dominating the debates. On two wheels, the decision to build for the 2011 horizon a field only for bikes of maximum 450cc will allow to level all bikers. This measure will partly be effective for 2010.
Bikes: on equal terms
For several years, more and more of the top bikers have won specials or finished in the leading ten overall positions using under 450cc bikes. At the same time, the smaller capacity machines have been more and more present, representing 40% of the registered riders at the start of the 2009 Dakar. Financially more accessible and more reliable than the older bikes of the previous generations and now more adapted to the demands of off-road rallies, the 450cc still have a deficit in performance that prevent them from reaching even higher ambitions. This difference will be totally erased for the 2011 Dakar during which only bikes with engines under 450cc will be accepted.
A bridle in 2010 for the amateurs over 450cc
In order to reach this objective of levelness between competitors that will open the number of potential victory contenders, a transition measure has been taken for the 2010 Dakar. Aware of the important number of competitors already having bikes of over 450cc, the organisers have decided to accept them for this edition with the obligation to set up a bridle reducing the power of the engine. This bridle, conceived to limit the performance to the level of the 450cc, will be provided by the rally organisation.
The champions on 450cc in 2010
This modification aiming to support the amateur riders that want to line up at the start of the rally will not be applicable to a certain number of professionals and semi-professionals for which a list will be established later. The possible winners will therefore be forced to use as soon as 2010 a bike of under 450cc. On equal terms, they will battle it out using the qualities that define champions in the discipline: physical endurance, piloting, navigation.
Autos: A helping hand for the "petrols"
The vehicles propelled by a turbo diesel engine have taken an advantage over their rivals, and have notably built an important gap on most of the amateur crews that take on the rally. In order to reduce this margin and allow the most competitive of the lot to be part of the battle in front, the crews that have an atmospheric petrol engine (over 2 air valve/cylinder) will be authorised to increase the size of the air arrival bridle, from 32mm to 34mm.
The regulation for the turbo diesel engines remains unchanged. The professional teams registered or supported by a constructor will be submitted to the current T1 regulation (art 6P3).
The tracks discovered in Argentina and Chile during the 2009 edition represent for the teams of the rally an invitation to continue the exploration. On a sports point of view, the potential of these territories offers exalting perspectives: by exploring new areas, the 2010 Dakar will offer and intense and renewed challenge. The experience of the first edition in South America having shown some restraints in terms of terrain, several changes have been planned in order to ensure security and equity between the competitors.
More sand
The dune crossings and off-piste navigation are part of the essential elements of rally raid. It is in these key domains that are evaluated the technical capacities of the competitors: in the sand, the performance is also a story of finesse and strategy. During the 2009 edition, the drivers and riders were already able to test themselves on different types of sand. They will have even more dune crossings in 2010.
On equal terms
The two countries that welcome the Dakar present complementary characteristics with enough variety to authorise different types of piloting to be expressed. The course planned for the 2010 race was designed with the will to spread equally the stages and difficulties between Argentina and Chile. The mileage, both in special and liaison, will be more or less the same from one side to the other of the Andes.
An adapted format
The selection of bikers
Like each year, the registration files will be very carefully examined. Several new measures will be introduced in the selection for the 2010 edition. Indeed, the riders will for example have to have taken part in a rally of the FIM World championship or to a Dakar Series event of the last three years.
Doubled courses
It sometimes occurs that the race configuration makes it difficult to mix different classes of vehicles. Each time the reconnaissance team judges that it is possible and necessary, different courses will be planned in order to limit risks. These devices will also allow taking bikers in more technical portions where they will be able to show their specific aptitudes.
A race for each
Again with the goal to fluidify the progression of the race vehicles, the starting times will be widened between the different types of vehicles. Thus, the first car will take off long after the last bike and the trucks will systemically take off after the last car.
CBV
Team Rally Australia
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