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The Dakar Rally is the most fearsome motorsport event in the world - bar none. It's seen death, political instability and a migration halfway round the world during its 30 year history - yet the lure of the Dakar is irresistible for dozens of drivers and teams.

The Dakar is one of the few motorsport events where cars and bikes compete alongside one another - albeit in different classes. There are even classes for trucks. This year the Dakar Rally is being hotly contested in Argentina and Chile, over 5,600 miles of torturous sand and tarmac stages.

We've pulled together some of the best pictures from this year's event.

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