1) Start is in Lisbon (Lisboa) Portugal (December 31), finishes in Dakar (January 15).
2) Iritrack satellite tracking system will provide exact location of all race vehicles through the race. This location information will be updated every 30 minutes and made available live via the dakar.com web site, and possibly SMS phone messages.
3) All motorcycles must now stay below 150km/h (93mph) top speed limit.
4) Some stages will be started in reverse order, so the fast riders will have to pass all the slow riders through the stage.
5) It appears they may allow the 950 KTM and other big twins solo bikes back into the race, though it's not exactly clear in reading their comment about that.
6) Maximum distance between fuel stops is reduced from 350km to 250 km (156 miles) so bikes don't need to carry such a heavy load of fuel.
7) Satellite phones are no longer required. The Iritrack tracking unit has a voice communication feature in case of emergency.
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