Technical Regulations for Bikes

PREAMBLE 

The technical regulations for the 32nd Dakar Argentina – Chile conform with the 2009 FIM regulations for  bikes and quads. There are however some exceptions, which you will find detailed in the following pages. 

The FIM technical regulations can be consulted on their web site: www.fim.ch 

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS 

ART. 1  GROUPS 2.1 & 2.2 – SUPER PRODUCTION  

This group is comprised: 

  • of machines derived from Enduro motorcycles to which certain modifications have been made and / or parts added that make them no longer eligible for the Marathon group. 
  • machines of riders wishing to change marked parts, 
  • machines of a ‘free’ conception, produced in small quantities and corresponding to the following criteria:
    • Frame: materials ‘free’ with the exception of titanium. 
    • Engine: lower engine cases and crankshaft from a production engine homologated in the  Marathon group. Preparation ‘free’. Repairs during the race are ‘free’. Only 2 engine  changes are authorised, ie. a total of 3 engines. The engines may be repaired during the race, providing that the engine cases marked during scrutineering are retained. 

ART. 2  GROUP 2.3 – MARATHON  

1) Production “Enduro” machines manufactured in at least 200 examples and homologated by the  FIM. 

2) Machines in the Marathon group must be standard, as delivered by the manufacturer. Machines must conform in all ways to the commercial catalogue issued by the constructor and be freely available for sale. The original repair manual (as used by dealers – no photocopies accepted), as well as all  homologation papers, must be presented at the same time as the machine during scrutineering. 

3) If the rider is unable to present homologation papers at scrutineering their machine will be irrevocably disqualified from the Marathon group and entered in the Super Production group.  

4) The engine must be standard, of the type homologated, along with carburettor and accessories  (alternator, starter, and the complete ignition system). It must remain as originally constructed – only the fitting of an oil cooler is authorised. 

5) The principle of this classification is simple: the interdiction to change principle parts during the race. 

The Marathon classification will reward riders who have finished the race without having changed the following parts: 

  • engine, 
  • frame, 
  • fork (stanchions, tubes and yokes), 
  • swinging arm, 
  • central engine cases, cylinder(s), cylinder head(s). 

The parts listed above must be entirely standard. These parts will be marked at scrutineering. The replacement of one of the these parts, or of the engine during the event, will see the competitor removed definitively from the Marathon classification, but will not prevent the competitor from featuring in the overall classification for the Super Production group (with the exception of the frame for which the penalty will be disqualification from the race). 

6) Other parts may be replaced by standard parts in the series type of the constructor, but may not be removed (e.g.: fairing) 

7) Free from rules: 

  • The presence of the speedometer and rev counter, provided that their location is used to fit navigation accessories and that the speed of the machine can be checked by the rider. 
  • The handlebar along with levers, handlebar clamps and cables, if they are featured in the constructor’s catalogue, as well as the presence of hand protectors. If the diameter of the handlebar is different from that of standard, only handlebar mounts sold for this type are acceptable. All modification or machining of clamps is forbidden. 
  • The fitting of a steering damper. 
  • The presence of a headlight protection grill. 
  • The headlight and rear light (providing they comply with regulations). 
  • Tyres 
  • Secondary transmission (engine sprocket, rear sprocket, chain). Only the width of the chain may be changed, not the throw. 
  • Spark plugs. 
  • Brake pads, brake hoses and brake fluid. 
  • Fuel and water tanks (but not the means of engine cooling). 
  • The air filter. The air box and its layout must remain standard. The location of the air intake is free and may be moved. 
  • The seat. 
  • Indicators may be removed, as may one rear mirror, if two are fitted as standard. 
  • The luggage rack. 
  • The engine bash plate. 
  • The presence of fork and front brake protectors. 
  • The choice of shock absorbers. 
  • Fork springs (the stanchions, tubes and fork yokes must be standard). Internal settings are free. 
  • Stand cut out switches. 
  • The size of the foot pegs (if featured in the constructor’s catalogue). 
  • The dimensions of the brake pedal (if featured in the constructor’s catalogue). 
  • The reinforcement of the standard kick start. 
  • Modifications to the electrical circuit, so as to fit the rear fog light. 
  • Wheels: the rims and spokes may be changed for reinforced parts provided the hubs remain standard. 
  • Front wheel: motorcycles fitted with a 19’’ front wheel may be fitted with a 21’’ rim provided that the hub and the width of the rim remains the same. 
  • Rear wheel: motorcycles fitted with a 17’’ rear wheel may be fitted with an 18’’ rim provided that the hub and the width of the rim remains the same. 

8 ) Machines, as in other categories, must conform to the event’s safety norms and to the Highway 

Code (horn, rear mirror). 

Competitors are allowed to fit a kick start, in addition to an electric starter, providing there is the possibility to do so within the model range and that the parts are featured in the manufacturer’s catalogue. 

Following a report by the Technical Stewards, the Jury reserves the right to accept or not a machine in this group. 

All modifications not explicitly authorised are forbidden. 

9) Forbidden: 

  • All modifications increasing the performance of the engine, clutch, or primary transmission. The cooling system, in its entirety, and the original starting system must be conserved. 
  • All modifications to the electrical circuit other than those mentioned in the ‘free’ chapter. 
  • All modifications to the braking system other than those mentioned in the ‘free’ chapter. 
  • All modifications or reinforcing of all or part of the frame, as well as all change of materials, except reinforcement designed to carry extra tanks or luggage racks. 
  • All changes of material, on whatever parts (even if these feature in the manufacturer’s catalogue) which do not correspond to that fitted as standard to the model in question. The year of reference being not that of registration as featured on the registration documents but that given by the manufacturer and corresponding to the series number. 
  • All changes to appearance, dismantling or taking off of parts, accessories or equipment other than those mentioned in the ‘free’ chapter. 

10) NB: Parts may be removed by Technical Stewards so as to be checked at any time during the event.  

ART. 4 EXHAUST AND SILENCER SYSTEM 

1) Even where the specific prescriptions for a category authorise the replacement of the original silencer or complete exhaust system, motorcycles participating on an event run on public roads must always be fitted with an exhaust silencer that conforms to the regulations of the countries crossed during the race. 

2) The position and geometric form of the system must conform to the FIM’s technical prescriptions for the discipline. In addition, hot tubes must be efficiently protected so as to not to cause burns.  

3) Exhaust systems must not be of a temporary nature. Exhaust gases must exit at the extremity of the system. Parts of the frame may not be used to carry exhaust gases.  

4) Any irregularity will lead to the start being refused up to the conformity application. 

5) The non-respect of the maximum sound limit (maximum 96 decibels, measured at 13m/sec) will be penalised as follows (see Art.79.11 of the Enduro Technical Rules): 

  • 1st infringement: 15 minutes 
  • 2nd infringement: 1 hour 
  • 3rd infringement: disqualification 

ART. 5  LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES 

1) Must in all ways conform to the International Highway Code. 

2) Each machine must be equipped with at least: 

  • One headlight, 
  • One homologated rear stop light, 
  • One red rear fog light of a minimum of 21 W and of 140 x 70 mm, or several lights of an equivalent surface area (halogen bulb recommended), 
  • A horn with a 90 Db minimum noise level,  
  • A rear mirror, 
  • A fixed water tank of 3 litres (plus a 2 litre drinking system). 

3) Each quad must be fitted with a circuit breaker, without any neutralisation system. The circuit breaker must be permanently linked to the rider. Checks will be made at each Leg start and throughout the rally route. In the case of an infringement, penalties from start refused to disqualification will be applied by the Jury. 

4) Lights and red rear lights must be switched on throughout the race so as to facilitate overtaking of and by other competitors or organisers machines. Failure to respect this regulation will result in time penalties. All competitors are expected to carry necessary spares.  

ART.6 MARKINGS 

1) In all categories: the frame, the engine, and the spare engine. The machine and the rider are associated by a race number and will be identified by marks at scrutineering. These 3 elements are indissociable during the length of the race. Are considered as part of the frame: all parts welded surrounding the engine and supporting the steering column and the mounting points for the rear suspension. The frame and the engine cases, already marked at scrutineering at the start, or all other parts, may at any moment have additional marks added. 

2) All fraud noted, and notably the fact of presenting as intact, identification marks that have been retouched, will result in the disqualification of the rider or team which aided or facilitated the infraction, and that without affecting further sanctions which may be demanded to the national federation of the rider or accomplice. 

3) All changes of engine must be indicated to the Clerk of the Course at least one hour before the start of the following Leg, on pain of a 15’ penalty. 

4) In the Marathon classification, the complete engine (standard) fitted in the machine will be marked. Other marks will be made to the: 

  • Forks (stanchions, tubes and yokes), 
  • Swinging arm. 

 Official regulations are available at www.dakar.com

Your Comment