Banbury's Prodrive revs up for the most challenging motorsport race in the world

Sebastian Loeb, right, is a nine time world rally champion, driving the Dakar Rally for Prodrive

A huge Prodrive team is putting the final touches to two brand new cars in preparation for the start of the infamous Dakar Rally this weekend.

Prodrive is competing in the Dakar rally for the first time in its history starting on Sunday, .January 3. The Dakar is the most challenging motorsport race in the world lasting two weeks and covering more than 7000km across the Arabian desert.

Prodrive spokesman Ben Sayer told the Banbury Guardian: "We have a team of around 40 people in Saudi Arabia running two brand new cars we’ve developed here at our factory and being raced by the most successful rally driver of all time nine time World Rally Champion, Sebastien Loeb and two time Dakar winner, Nani Roma. The Dakar is a race we’ve wanted to do for many years."

Shakedown for the event has happened and the first stage is on Sunday with a new stage every day of up to 600km everyday over the two weeks. We expect to get regular bulletins from the team during the race.

Banbury's Prodrive revs up for the most challenging motorsport race in the world - starting on Sunday