Vehicles gear up for 31st Dakar rally

The 31st Dakar rally begins on New Year's Day from Buenos Aires in Argentina, the second time "the world's toughest motor race" takes place in South America. Participating vehicles have been prepared and loaded on to boats in the French port of Le Havre ahead of the long journey across the Atlantic.

Sands of time: the 2010 rally begins in Buenos Aires on Jan 1  Photo: GETTY IMAGES

This is the second consecutive year that the Dakar will be held in South America. The 9 thousand kilometre challenge will lead riders, drivers and crews on the roads, tracks, mountains and deserts of Argentina and Chile.

From the 1st to the 17th of January, competitors will fight it out on 14 stages. The anti-clockwise loop will include a treacherous trek through the Atacama Desert and its gigantic dunes.

The white sand close to Fiambala and the grey sand in the area of Nihuil will complete the spread of colours and the variety of difficulties during the event.

As the participating vehicles prepared to make the long sea journey to the start, race director Etienne Lavigne said the organizers were delighted with the numbers taking part in the 2010 race.