2010 Dakar Rally starts off in Buenos Aires

Russia's Team Kamaz started the legendary off-road Dakar Rally in Buenos Aires on Friday

The Russian team already has seven winning titles from the legendary off-road race

Speaking before the start, Russian team leader Semyon Yakubov said: "We had been preparing for the race a whole year and hope to win. But we have serious rivals, for example, the Tatra team that comprises four vehicles." In the photo: Russian Ambassador to Argentina Alexander Dogadin and Kamaz-Master Team leader Semyon Yakubov

2010 Dakar Rally is the 31st event. It is in South America for the second successive time and will run from January 1 to 16. There are seven stages in Argentina, and seven in Chile

Teams from 50 countries on 52 trucks, 160 motorcycles and 138 cars are taking part in the race that kicked off from the Obelisk on Buenos Aires's central 9th of July Avenue on New Year's Day

Last year marked the first time that the rally, founded in 1979, has taken place outside Africa, in South America, due to safety reasons

The total racing distance is 9,030 km (5,610 miles) for cars and trucks, and 8,937 km (5,553 miles) for bikes and ATV

A day before the start of 2010 Dakar Rally

A day before the start of 2010 Dakar Rally

A day before the start of 2010 Dakar Rally