In 1977, a French motorbike racer named Thierry Sabine founded the Dakar Rally. He devised a simple motto for his off-road battle royale: "A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind."

For the 2010 installment, Volkswagen made our dreams come true (again) by inviting us to tag along. Correspondent Brett McKenzie (pictured, inset) departed yesterday for Buenos Aires. (Yeah, we know that's nowhere near Senegal, but South America is hosting the race this year.) Anyway, Brett will be embedded with the VW team as it attempts to defend their 2009 title.

The trek across some of the most inhospitable regions of Argentina and Chile will begin on Jan. 1; you can follow Brett's progress on Twitter and Facebook.

To understand the insanity that is "The Dakar," check out this video from the 2009 race ...