BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: The Dakar Rally roared out of Buenos Aires with a ceremonial parade of hundreds of vehicles from its famed Obelisk Saturday. The 16-day trek will take drivers 9,500 kilometers across northern Argentina, through the Andes, the Atacama Desert of Chile and back to the Argentine capital. The first leg is a 370-km cruise northwest to Victoria, where competitors will prepare for Sunday's first full race day. Defending champions Carlos Sainz in the cars category and Cyril Despres on a motorcycle return to defend their titles. Officials listed a record 430 official starters, up from the 362 who were enrolled last year. The actual number starting the race is always lower, but is also expected to be a record. The largest increase is in the bike category, where 183 were registered to start - up from 151 a year ago. This year's route goes northwest from Buenos Aires, with the racers crossing into Chile Wednesday. Participants then head north through the Atacama Desert and next Friday are expected to reach Arica in the far north of Chile, on the border with Peru. The race then turns south and crosses back into Argentina on Jan. 12. It ends on Jan. 16 in Buenos Aires. Sainz, in a Volkswagen, may get his stiffest challenge from teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah. Stephane Peterhansel, who led much of the race a year ago in a rival BMW, was also a favorite in cars.
