2015 Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is the world's most spectacular and challenging off-road rally.
The Dakar, originally known as the Paris-Dakar, was inspired by the landscape of North Africa, but was forced to relocate to South America due to security concerns in 2009. The 5,500 mile route winds its way through Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. It begins and ends in Buenos Aires.
Toyota driver Rainer Wissmans of Germany drives during the stage two of the 2015 Dakar Rally, from Villa Carlos Paz to San Juan, Argentina, Jan. 5, 2015.
Dakar 2015 Rally course
A map showing the route of the 2015 Dakar Rally which starts and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina covering 9,000 km (5,500 miles) and passes through both Chile and Bolivia takes place from Jan 4-17, 2015.
Stage three
Toyota driver Giniel De Villiers of South Africa drives in stage 3 of the 2015 Dakar Rally from San Juan to Chilecito, Argentina, Jan. 6, 2015.
The Dakar passes through an incredible array of terrains; rocky routes, desert dunes to flooded rivers.
Stage two
KTM rider Marc Coma of Spain prepares to start stage two of the 2015 Dakar Rally, from Villa Carlos Paz to San Juan in Argentina, Jan. 5, 2015.
Stage four
Juan Pedrero Garcia (#10), of Pont Grup Yamaha JV Racing 450WR Rally, competes during stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Chilecito, Argentina and Copiapo, Chile, Jan. 7, 2015.
The Dakar tests competitors and their vehicles in extreme endurance.
Stage four
KTM's Spanish biker Marc Coma competes during stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Chilecito, Argentina, and Copiapo, Chile, Jan. 7, 2015.
Stage four
Gerard Farres Guell (#23) of Spain, for Gas Gas pont Grup Seguros Dakar team, on the EC450 Rally GasGas competes during stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Chilecito, Argentina to Copiapo, Chile, Jan. 7, 2015.
Stage four
Mini driver Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar drives during stage 5 of the 2015 Dakar Rally from Copiapo to Antofagasta, Chile Jan. 8, 2015.
Stage four
Sebastian Halpern (#255) of Argentina, riding for Mendoza Espiritu Grande, chases his quad as it rolls down the sand dune during stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Chilecito, Argentina to Copiapo, Chile, Jan. 7, 2015.
Stage four
Fans help Jorge Lacunza (#109) of Argentina, for Lacunza rally Team 450 Rally Replica KTM, after he got stuck on the top of a sand dune during stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Chilecito, Argentina to Copiapo, Chile, Jan. 7, 2015
Stage four
Pierre Lachaume and Jean Brucy of France (#333), for MD Rallye, in the Optimus MD3 compete in stage 4 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Chilecito, Argentina to Copiapo, Chile, Jan. 7, 2015.
Stage six
Toyota's driver Giniel De Villiers of South Africa and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz of Germany compete during stage six of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Antofogasta and Iquique, Chile, Jan. 9, 2015.
Stage six
KTM rider Ruben Faria of Portugal rides during the sixth stage of the 2015 Dakar Rally from Antofagasta to Iquique, Chile, Jan. 9, 2015.
Stage six
Ton Van Genugten, C.W.J Van Limpt Antonius and (#532) Eric H.F Van Gemert of the Netherlands f(#532), for Ton Trans and driving a DAF, compete during stage 6 of the 2015 Dakar 2015 between Antofaasta and Iquique, Chile on Jan. 9, 2015.
Stage six
Yamaha rider Txomin Arana Cobeaga of Spain rides during stage six of the 2015 Dakar 2015 Rally from Antofagasta to Iquique, Chile, Jan. 9, 2015.
Hundreds of motorcycles, quad bikes, cars, and heavy trucks race the toughest terrain for thirteen stages over two weeks.
Stage seven
Spectators cheer as a competitor of the 2015 Dakar 2015 Rally passes by during stage seven from Iquique, Chile to Uyuni, Bolivia, Jan. 10, 2015.
Stage seven
Juan Manuel Silva and Pablo Sisterna of Argentina crash in their Mercedes car during Stage 7 of the 2015 Dakar 2015 from Iquique, Chile to Uyuni, Boliva, Jan. 10, 2015.
Stage seven
Mercedes driver Juan Manuel Silva of Argentina kneels next to his wrecked car during stage 7 of the 2015 Dakar Rally from Iquique, Chile to Uyuni, Bolivia, Jan. 10, 2015.
Stage seven
Bolivians wearing traditional outfits, wave flags and sing songs to greet the drivers prior to stage seven of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Iquique, Chile and Uyuni, Bolivia near Oruro, Bolivia, on Jan. 10, 2015.
Stage seven
Residents of Uyuni welcome competitors arriving after stage 7 of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Iquique, Chile, and Uyuni, Bolivia, Jan. 10, 2015.
Stage eight
Orlando Orly Terranova and Ronnie Graue (#305) of Argentina, driving for the ALL4 Racing Mini Monster Energy Rally Raid Team, Yazeed Al Rajhi of Saudi Arabia and Timo Gottschalk of Germany (#325), driving for Yazeed Racing, in the Hilux Toyota, Ten Brinke Bernhard of the Netherlands and Tom Colsoul of Belgium (#315), for Toyota Overdrive Hilux, Krzysztof Holowczyc of Poland and Xavier Panseri of France (#307), driving for the ALL4 Racing Mini Monster Energy Rally Raid Team, and Nani Roma of Spain and Michel Perin of France (#300), driving for the ALL4 Racing Mini Monster Energy Rally Raid Team, start racing during stage eight of the 2015 Dakar Rally on the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat) in Uyuni, Bolivia, Jan. 11, 2015.
Stage eight
Competitors begin stage 8 of the 2015 Dakar Rally on the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat) from Uyuni, Bolivia to Iquique, Chile, Jan. 11, 2015.
The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat at 4,086 sq. miles.
Stage eight
Kawasaki's Chilean Patricio Cabrera (L) walks in the Salar to ask for help during 2015 Dakar Rally stage eight between Uyuni, Bolivia and Iquique, Chile, Jan. 12, 2015.
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, located in Bolivia near the crest of the Andes, some 3,650 metros (11,975 feet) above sea level.
Stage eight
Stephane Henrard and Bruno Barbier of Belgium (#353), for the Henrard Racing Team in the VW Volkswagen 3L, wait at the starting line during stage 8 of the 2015 Dakar Rally on the Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flat) in Uyuni, Bolivia, Jan. 11, 2015.
Stage eight
Riders compete during stage eight of the 2015 Dakar Rally between Uyuni, Bolivia and Iquique, Chile, Jan. 12, 2015.
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, located in Bolivia near the crest of the Andes, some 3,650 metres above sea level.