Great views: Competitors have not been put off this year's Dakar Rally, despite it claiming three lives. In this image, French pilot Joseph Adua drives his truck between Chilecito and Fiambala in ArgentinaIt is considered to be one of the most dangerous events in motorsports and has already claimed three lives this year.
But as these incredible pictures show, that has not put competitors off this year's Dakar Rally.
Despite its name, the popular off-road endurance race is being held in South America for the fourth consecutive year.
Stunning scenery: Despite beginning in Europe and Africa in 1979, the popular off-road endurance race is being held in South America for the fourth consecutive year following terrorism fears
Beautiful: The Dakar Rally will finish in Lima, Peru, on January 15 after passing through some of South America's most glorious scenery
Variety: The distances of each stage vary and sometimes can involve drives of more than 500 miles per day. This shows stage five from Chilechito to Fiambala, ArgentinaSince it began in 1979, the rally has been held in Europe and Africa.
But due to terrorism fears, the 2008 race was cancelled and moved to South America the following year.
This year the race began in Argentina and will pass through Chile, finishing in Lima, Peru, on January 15.
The distances of each stage vary and sometimes can involve drives of more than 500 miles per day.
The terrain the competitors travel over is known for being tough, with drivers crossing dunes, mud and rocks, often leading to spectacular crashes.
Barren: A motorcyclist travels at speed through the desert
Competitive: Two vehicles battle it out during the fifth stage of the fourth South American edition of the Dakar Rally. The event will finish in Lima, Peru, on January 15 
Rocky road: The terrain the competitors travel over is known for being tough, with drivers crossing dunes, mud and rocks, often leading to spectacular crashes
Tragic: Despite its incredible surroundings, the race is dangerous. Three people have died over the first few days of the event this yearThe incredible dangers facing those involved in the race have been highlighted this year after three people died over the first few days of the event.
Argentine motorcyclist Jorge Martinez Boero died following a crash during last Sunday's first stage.
The 38-year-old, who was competing in the event for only the second time, fell during the stage between the Argentine cities of Mar del Plata, in Buenos Aires, and Santa Rosa.
On the same day, the pilot of an ultralight plane and his son died tracking the race.
Brutal: More than 20 competitors have lost their lives since the first Paris-Dakar rally in 1979
Getting around: This year the race began in Argentina and also passes through Chile before finishing in Peru
Support: People watch the participants of the rally between Chilecito and Fiambala, Argentina
Nice setting: A view of the Dakar Rally's camp in Copiapo, ChileMore than 20 competitors have lost their lives since the first Paris-Dakar rally in 1979 with Boero the second in Argentina after Frenchman Pascal Henry in 2009.
There have also been numerous deaths among spectators, organisers - including race founder Thierry Sabine - and members of the media.
Down time: A team member relaxes in the camp after stage six of the 2012 Dakar Rally was cancelled
Help needed: A race official tends to Mauricio Javier Gomez of Argentina after he crashed his Yamaha motorbike in a sand dune during stage five of the rallyDuring last year's race a man died after his car was hit by another taking part in the rally and in 2010, a woman watching the rally died after being hit by a participating vehicle.
In the years the race was held in western Africa, there was often the threat from gangs or bandits, which finally led to the race being moved to South America.
Move needed: In the years the race was held in western Africa, there was often the threat from gangs or bandits, which finally led to the race being moved to South America 
Dangerous: Daniel Willemsen of the Netherlands crashes into the sand during stage five of the rally
Close-up: A photographer gets nice and close to a truck racing in the Dakar Rally
Great welcome: France's Cyril Despres arrives in Copiapo after the cancelled sixth stage of the fourth South American edition of the Dakar Rally due to bad weather
Time for a rest: A mechanic takes a nap in Copiapo, Chile, after organisers were forced to cancel the sixth stage between Fiambala in Argentina and Copiapo due to summer snow in the Andes
Hard-going: Kazakhstan pilot Artur Ardavichus drives his truck during the fifth stage of the rally in Argentina
Tough: Portuguese driver Ricardo Leal Dos Santos taking part in the seventh stage of the rallysource: dailymail
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