The 30th Dakar Rally underway in Argentina and Chile

Motorcycle competitors race away as Dakar Rally leaves Buenos Aires (Clutch and Chrome): "A group of riders and drivers in motorcycles, cars and trucks set across the toughest terrain in an organized race and face a grueling schedule as the famed Dakar Rally kicked off in South America this morning.

Hundreds of thousands of people overwhelmed downtown Buenos Aires yesterday to catch a glimpse of the over 500 vehicles which will compete in the first Dakar Rally to be held in South America. Rally organizers announced that 500,000 people crammed the parade route which took place around the city's center.

The 30th Dakar Rally features 177 cars, 217 motorcycles, 81 trucks and 25 quad bikes with drivers from 49 countries spread over 530 competitors" racing in 14 steps from Buenos Aires through an Argentinean route to Chile along the coast and back to Buenos Aires on January 17.