Dakar 2013 from Lima to Santiago

The Dakar returns to South America for a fifth time. The intrepid pilots will start from Lima, Peru, on January 5, and make their way to Santiago, Chile, over the Andes and the Atacama Desert via Argentina. It is till not quite the “Dakar” but the topography and hazardous conditions across the Andes and Atacama Desert are a real test for any Rally Raid driver be he on two wheels, four in big truck. But I still miss the amazing scenery through North Africa, I wonder if it will ever return to Dakar?

Last year the Mini’s ran away with it in the car section, but this year South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers in his Toyota Hi-Lux double cab will be hoping for a better finish. Frenchman and defending champion Stephane Peterhansel will lead the Mini entrants again this year with Spaniard Nani Roma, Russian Novistkiy Leonid and Pole Holowczyc Krzysztof, the cars to beat.

Robby Gordon will try to stay within the rules this year and keep his Hummer right side up, while Carlos Sainz will be one to watch in his buggy.

One name stands out in the bike entrants Cyril Despres on the KTM who is the master of all conditions  — David Blood, SportsCentral