Participants in the Dakar Car Rally arrived at their final destination in Buenos Aires, Argentina Jan 17 and Lu Ningjun, the 53-year-old Chinese veteran, ranked 28th overall. Although he wasn't the winner, he's still a true champion for taking part in and finishing the most challenging off-road auto race in the world for the sixth time.

The Dakar Rally has witnessed Chinese drivers' participation since 2003. And this is Lu Ningjun's sixth time in the rally. Before setting off, Lu tested his vehicle in the nearest desert to Beijing.

"The Dakar Rally is very challenging. It's said to be the toughest and the hardest race in the world. It's extraordinary. For some people it's a romantic dream to be there. But for me, it's a major challenge."

The rally has moved from Africa to Argentina and Chile since last year. Drivers must travel across dunes, gravel, rocks, swamp roads and canyons in the South American continent. The race vehicles must be modified in every respect to fit in to the tough condition, or it'll be extremely hard to progress at all.

Lu Ningjun carefully examines his off-road vehicle regularly.

"The modified version can be totally different from the original one. The brakes are more dependable. The wheels hold the road more forcefully. And the shock absorbers are more powerful so jolts can be reduced. Generally we are faster and safer than other such vehicles."

Nevertheless, the Dakar Rally is still cruel and dangerous. Many drivers have been killed, including Lu Ningjun's team member and friend, Xu Lang. From all the six years' experience, Lu has learnt that every accident can be fatal.

He recalls the anxiety he felt after he was dragged from the sand after his vehicle sunk there.

"It's very dangerous. I sat in the cockpit. My car was linked to the truck in front by rope. I was very anxious at that moment, because it was very much like Xu Lang's accident. Once the rope pulled apart under the strain, the heavy hook bounced back from the truck and hit me on the head. It was no joke."

Lu Ningjun is a lucky guy. He has overcome every difficulty he has met in the desert, including cheating death. Last year, Lu became the only Chinese driver to finish the race. Others dropped out because of mechanical problems, faulty tyres, and sandstorms. This year, he returned to Argentina, keenly aware of the hard times in front of him, but expecting more challenges.

Unlike what many people imagine, racing is not all about individuality it's actually an art of cooperation. Drivers must cooperate with their navigators at all times and help each other during emergencies.

Lu Ningjun was once trapped in the mud while the rain poured down. Recalling that time before being saved, he says he owes his survival to his navigator who stepped out of the car to call for help in spite of the rain. If both of them have stayed in the vehicle to take shelter, they would never have been found and rescued.

"You can imagine it. He was standing in the snowfield with ice everywhere on the ground, and rainwater drenching him, for half an hour. It must have been so cold that he could barely speak. He summoned a truck to drag my vehicle and me out. "

And only after they escaped from the danger, he realized he was so close to death.

"The sky cleared out later, but it turned dark, too. Suddenly we found a big snow mountain behind us. Wow! We were like, 'what's that?' Because we were totally ignorant of what situation we were in because of the rain and the fog. Only after we came out, we felt grateful that we didn't wait up there otherwise we would both be dead."

Because of his rich experience in the Dakar rally, Lu has naturally become the leader of Chinese drivers. The veteran is deeply concerned about his team members' performance, safety, and feelings. Together with his friends, he has traveled over many different terrains, and this year kept in good condition to finish a respectable 28th overall. It's almost the best result Chinese drivers have ever made in the Rally. He says Dakar is a spirit that runs though his blood, making him brave, cooperative, and complete and he will never tire of participating in it.

Jiang Yaoheng and Lu Ningjun