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French driver Olivier Pottier makes ready in his MD Buggy at the start of Rally Dakar 2010 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on New Year's Day. The Dakar Rally will not take place in Africa, but in the South American countries of Argentina and Chile, having moved there in 2008 in the wake of terrorist threats on the rally’s traditional Saharan route. The 2010 edition, from January 1 through 17, has 14 stages. Image Credit: EPA

Buenos Aires:  Thousands gathered at the Obelisk in the centre of the Argentine capital to watch the symbolic start of the Dakar Rally, a 349-kilometre drive to the city of Colon on Friday.

The real racing on the 9,000-kilometre journey across Argentina and Chile began yesterday for more than 350 cars, motorbikes, quads and trucks, with the finish set for January 16 back in Buenos Aires.

The rally was moved to South America in 2009 because of safety concerns and the possibility of a terrorist attack in Africa.

Organisers said on Friday that 362 vehicles passed scrutiny — 134 cars, 151 motorbikes, 25 quads and 52 trucks. News reports estimated about 200,000 people gathered to watch the start.

However, the field was reduced to 361 after the bike of Argentina's Javier Pizzolito caught fire.

Last year's winner, Giniel De Villiers of South Africa, leads the favourites. The 2009 champions in other categories also return: Spanish motorcyclist Marc Coma, Czech quad driver Josef Machacek, and Russian truck driver Firdaus Kabirov.

Teams from Volkswagen and BMW are the favourites. Volkswagen boasts De Villiers, as well as former world rally champion Carlos Sainz from Spain and Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah.

BMW have French driver Stephane Peterhansel behind the wheel, a six-time champion on motorbikes and three-time winner in cars of the Dakar Rally in Africa, plus Nani Roma of Spain.