Egyptian driver Abou Youssef Abdelhamid (R) and German co-driver Thomas Holzknecht (L) pose by their rally vehicle near the start line of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA/MIKE NELSON
Quad rally racer Camelia Liparoti from France (L) adjusts her helmet as she and other quad racers prepare themselves for the start of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt on 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA/MIKE NELSON
Motorcycles who are participating in the 'raid' line up near the start line of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt, 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. Raid participants are not official racers but can do the rally as enthusiasts. EPA EPA/MIKE NELSON
Japanese woman rally driver Dr. Keiko Hamaguchi (R) and her co-driver Akira Koishizawa (L) go through last minutes checks prior to the start of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA/MIKE NELSON
Japanese woman rally driver Dr. Keiko Hamaguchi takes a picture of her rally car in front of the Great Pyramids prior to the start of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA/MIKE NELSON
Motorcycle and quad racers wait their turn near the start line of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA EPA/MIKE NELSON
Japanese woman rally driver Dr. Keiko Hamaguchi (L) and her co-driver Akira Koishizawa (R) at the start line of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. Doctor Keiko is a surgeon in Japan and also participates in world cross country rallies. EPA/MIKE NELSON
A camel mounted Egyptian Tourist Policeman patrols in front the the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, 05 October 2008. The only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World is the highlight for visitors to Egypt. Tourism to Egypt is its main source of foreign currency income. EPA/MIKE NELSON
Lead vehicle driven by Frenchmen Christian Lavieille and Jean-Michel Polato leave the start line of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. 122 vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA/MIKE NELSON
Boys gather around the race car of Belgian drivers Albert and Marie Michiels to photograph it prior to the start of the Total Pharaons International Cross Country Rally near the Giza Pyramid plateau in Egypt 05 October 2008. The grueling 2,950 kilomter Sahara Desert rally runs for seven days and takes racers through Egypt's Western Desert and the oases of Siwa, Bahariya and Sitra. Onehundred-twenty-two vehicles from 30 countries are participating in this year's rally. EPA/MIKE NELSON
