While the BMW and VW factory teams throw millions and millions of dollars to get to the front of the Dakar Rally, at the back of the huge caravan of vehicles a completely-standard Fiat Siena is now plodding its way over the 9,000 kilometer route which has just got underway from Buenos Aires.

While the BMW and VW factory teams throw millions and millions of dollars to get to the front of the Dakar Rally, at the back of the huge caravan of vehicles a completely-standard Fiat Siena is now plodding its way over the 9,000 kilometer route which has just got underway from Buenos Aires. The 2010 Dakar Rally is set to trace a loop through Argentina and Chile over the next two weeks, across some of the harshest terrain on earth.

The Siena is in fact also the only rented car on the rally, hired from the Hertz agency just prior to the rally to carry Australian film maker and UNLTD Creative Director Simon Lee who will be chasing the 2010 Dakar Rally from start to finish. Alongside him in the venerable sedan is Jacob Black – a freelance journalist reporting for SBS. The Siena, which is the sedan member of the Italian carmaker's "Project World Car" family, is built in Argentina at Fiat's factory in the city of Córdoba.

The rally has just got underway from Buenos Aires with more than 350 cars, trucks, quads and motorbikes taking part in the adventure. Lee is in Argentina to shoot Dream Racer, a documentary that will follow French Australian business consultant Christophe Barriere-Varju as he attempts to complete the world’s most dangerous motor race. “Dream Racer explores what it really means to put everything on the line in the pursuit of your dream,” says Lee. “Unlike many Dakar entrants, Christophe is on his own – no team, no mechanic. It’s just him and his bike.”

And this minimalist 'whatever it takes' ethic extends to the film project. “I’m wearing many hats,” says Lee. “Producer, director, writer”. And whilst the rest of the media following the motorbikes, cars and trucks around a 10,000km across some of the harshest terrain on earth will be travelling in specially prepared all terrain vehicles – Simon Lee and Jacob Black have set off in the standard Siena. “Unlike previous Dakar films, this movie is about a regular guy. I’ve been filming Christophe’s preparation for the past 5 months. It’s now about capturing the adventure and spectacular landscapes of South America. From what I’ve seen so far, it would be fair to say that I’m pretty excited.” The Dream Racer film is scheduled for completion in late 2010.

As a Dakar Ambassador, Christophe Barriere-Varju has spent relentless hours to encourage Australians in becoming part of an amazing adventure, the Dakar Rally, and is the expert host SBS Television, Fox Sports and Channel 10 call upon. His Team Rally Australia is sponsored by Hyundai Australia. The Dakar is broadcast across 189 countries and attracts more than 300 million viewers every year. Team Rally Australia has created a community based website so that fans and supporters can share their stories, photos, videos, blogs, and interact with Team Rally Australia in the lead up and during the event.