Russia"s Vladimir Chagin, piloting a legendary...

Kabirov, the reigning champion, has so far grabbed only one stretch of the rally and now drags in the overall standings behind Chagin, the five-time Dakar champion, by 1.03 hours and 46 seconds.

The 2010 Dakar Rally is the 32nd running of the event. It takes place in South America for the second successive year and ends on January 16. Last year marked the first time that the rally, founded in 1979, took place outside Africa, with security fears prompting the switch.

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

The total racing distance is 9,030 km (5,610 miles) for cars and trucks.

MOSCOW, January 9 (RIA Novosti)