This just in from the FIM:

FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

Changes to the Regulations

Championnat du Monde FIM

des Grands Prix de Courses sur Route

Changements aux Règlements


The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of M. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 12/07/2008 at the Sachsenring, unanimously decided to introduce the following change to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, for application as from 18 July 2008.

Sporting Regulations

1.21 Behaviour During Practice and Race

16) Practice starts are permitted at the pit lane exit before joining the track and after the chequered flag is shown at the end of practice sessions and warm ups, when it is safe to do so, off the racing line. Exception: In the MotoGP class practice starts are not permitted after the chequered flag at the end of the qualifying practice.