Changes for 2006 Dakar....

The rule changes, however, are all part of a wider picture. The Dakar had lost its appeal to its hardened competitors - the amateurs - in recent years due to the fact that stages were extended in order to challenge the technologically advanced factory teams.

The event was no longer a challenge of endurance, navigation and survivability but a sprint race for the major manufacturers: Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Nissan and the KTM armada.

So severe were the stages on the previous two editions that almost 50% of the amateurs had been forced to abandon by the rest day, forcing organisers to take action. "The Dakar is not a speed race," ASO said in a statement.

To counteract the expanding gulf between the amateurs and the factory teams, the ever-increasing speeds and to improve safety in the wake of the deaths of Fabrizio Meoni and Richard Sainct, drastic measures have been taken.

GPS OUT - ROAD BOOK IN

The Dakar will return to its roots this year thanks re-introduction of the road book. No longer will competitors be able to rely on the Global Positions Systems and the STE Corridor that kept them safely on the right road.

Therefore the true navigators will shine as checkpoints will only be found by those taking the right track, and once within a radius of three kilometres, the GPS system will confirm its presence. Average speed should therefore be reduced.

For those getting lost, a de-blocking code can be entered to show the way back onto the track, incurring a penalty. Abusive use of this code will bring about sanctions that can go as far as exclusion from the race.

A speed limit of 50kph will be applied to all vehicles entering any settlement, while all vehicle will be fitted with the IriTrack technology, which shows the position of a vehi¬cle to be tracked over the race course.

MOTO - 150KPH SPEED LIMIT

The deaths of Fabrizio Meoni and Richard Sainct have forced the organisers to introduce a speed limit of 150kph for the Moto category. Also, fuel range has been reduced from 350km to 250km while neck supports will be mandatory for all riders.

In addition, mechanics may no longer bypass certain sections of the course by flying from point to point and mustcope with the same conditions as the riders themselves.

Also, to enable the moto amateurs to finish the stages earlier, a reverse departure rule has been implemented. Overall classification leaders will therefore leave last, enabling amateurs to "make tracks".

AUTO - TWO-WHEEL CARS ADVANTAGED

Two-wheel drive cars will be allowed to introduce the automatic deflation/inflation systems that were outlawed last year, while the automated air admission systems have now been made fixed.

Also, cars will be restricted to a pre-determined top speed in certain sections of the rally, which will be monitored by the GPS system. Severe penalties will be handed out for any competitor caught speeding.