Amongst cross-country rally events regulated by the FIA, the Dakar rally is classified as a marathon cross-country rally that traverses numerous countries and regions and its race regulations are essentially governed by those regulations. There are no conspicuous changes announced for the 2005 Marathon World Cup, except that the Quad (a 4 wheel buggy on a motor bike base with balloon tires), which was previously included in the 2-wheel division, has now become a separate category in its own right.

Furthermore, a great deal of attention is being paid to safety. The organizers will lend a GPS (Global Positioning System) to each vehicle, which will automatically record the speed of the vehicle while it is passing through areas in which there is a limit (there is a limit of 50km/h when passing through villages), and drivers will be penalized for violations. Also, in order to prevent collisions between vehicles during overtaking, a “sentinel” system, whereby the horn activates an alarm and flashing LED lamp in a car which comes too close, has been made compulsory. In addition, on route bivouacs will now be considered as Parc-Fermes, and participants will not be able to leave them during the night.

The competition takes place on a secret course (pre-race course entry prohibited) and consists of a selective section (SS), which is a speed race, and a liaison section (the transit route between each special stage) which must be covered in a prescribed time. The ranking is made on the basis of the participant with the shortest overall time after penalty times incurred during the SS have been aggregated. Naturally, the results of that day decide the SS order, the accumulated results up to that day determine the overall order and the next day's SS starts in order from the top positions of the previous day's SS. A marathon cross-country rally is set as a minimum distance of 6500 km (SS minimum 4000 km). The Dakar Rally is usually held over a 15 to 20 day period with a rest day during the event. All stages combined cover approximately 10,000 km making it the top event in its category.
The production class is equivalent to the FIA Group T1 and the cars require Group T vehicle homologation. Restrictions on scope of modifications are broadly similar to Group N. The super-production Class is made up of the current T2 FIA groups and all buggy, score US or Protruck type cars with no homologation required. This class is now closer to the former prototype class as original external appearance does not need to be maintained and pipe-frame construction is also permitted. However, there are restrictions respectively for engine air restrictors and minimum weight for each capacity class as well as for suspension stroke. Efforts have been made to adjust two-wheel-drive performance by easing restrictions on minimum weight and allowing unlimited suspension stroke. With the exception of the two-wheel-drive class, for the upcoming Dakar Rally 2005 any on-board CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System) that adjusts tire pressure will be banned.

Regulations unique to the Dakar Rally are the mandatory fuel tank capacity that guarantees a range of 800km (plus a recommended safety margin of 10%) and the carrying of a distress beacon and survival kit.

In the truck category there have been no changes since 2003; the category is simply divided into two classes of vehicles which have FIA Group T4 homologation.

Trucks are defined as vehicles with a total weight of 3.5 tons or greater. The scope of allowable modifications is similar to Group N but there is an upper tire size limit (14:00/20) and there are dimensional requirements for the truck bed that include height from the main sill and position of the forward tray cabin protection assembly. Each of these requires separate FIA authorization. Furthermore, 68mm diameter air restrictors have been compulsory since 2004.

The motorcycle category has two groups: production bikes that are close to those for general sale and super-production bikes that are modified production bikes. These are further sub-divided into 3 classes according to engine size. From 2005, 2-cylinder engines over 450cc will not be allowed. Similarly, from 2005, there will be a new Quad category, divided into two classes according to engine size. There are no engine size sub-divisions for side-cars.
Group 1-1
Production class
(petrol engine)
Group 1-2
Production class(diesel engine)
Group 2-1
Super-production class
(four-wheel-drive, petrol engine)
Group 2-2
Super-production class
(four-wheel-drive, diesel engine)
Group 2-3
Super-production class
(two-wheel-drive, petrol or diesel engine)
Group 3-1
4x4 trucks
Group 3-2
6x6 or 8x8 trucks
Group 1
Production
1-1 0 to 250cc, 1-2 251 to 450cc, 1-3 450 cc and above
Group 2
Super-production
2-1 0 to 250cc, 2-2 251 to 450cc, 2-3 450cc and above
Group 3
Experimental
3-1 Quad
3-2 Side car
Lighter,strobe,light,torch,
3x warning,flares,magnetic,
compass,signalling mirror,
5 litre water bottle plus 1.5 litres of drinking water per person,
survival blanket,seat belt cutter,
hom and beacon.
| Outline 2005 TOP | Route | Schedule | Regulation |