There are two ways for a Dakar trucker to get passed a stuck car...

Go around, or....yank it out of the way!     Epic.



Failing that there's a third option...

The 2014 Dakar is off

196 bikers, 154  cars, 75 trucks and  47 quads are on the way  so the now traditional  "RRRRRRRRRobby Gordon" spectacular crash countdown clock has started!

The repute will take the competitors from Rosario in Argentina through Bolivia and end in Valparaiso, Chile on the 18th.    This year, bikes and quads will face their own, separate "marathon" stages where they will be on a separate route and with no access to support for two days.

You can follow live timing and results on the DAKAR web site, where you can also find  device apps if you like.

Spaghetti Dakar

Sergio Leone would be proud.

F1 season may be coming to a close this week end in Brazil but, with the new year comes the Dakar.

The route for 2014 will take the raiders through Argentina, Bolivia and Chile for an epic 5000 km race which for the first time will see two separate tracks, one for bikes and quads and another for cars and trucks.  This was done partly for safety and partly to create routes more suited to each group.

The 2014 Dakar starts on the 5th of January, 2014.
(h/t Gully!)