Lu Ningjun, leading Chinese teams in the Dakar

• Source: Agencies
• [09:33 January 20 2010]
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Lu Ningjun is a lucky guy. He has overcome every difficulty he has met in the desert, including cheating death. Last year, Lu became the only Chinese driver to finish the race. Others dropped out because of mechanical problems, faulty tyres, and sandstorms. This year, he returned to Argentina, keenly aware of the hard times in front of him, but expecting more challenges.

Unlike what many people imagine, racing is not all about individuality it's actually an art of cooperation. Drivers must cooperate with their navigators at all times and help each other during emergencies.

Lu Ningjun was once trapped in the mud while the rain poured down. Recalling that time before being saved, he says he owes his survival to his navigator who stepped out of the car to call for help in spite of the rain. If both of them have stayed in the vehicle to take shelter, they would never have been found and rescued.

"You can imagine it. He was standing in the snowfield with ice everywhere on the ground, and rainwater drenching him, for half an hour. It must have been so cold that he could barely speak. He summoned a truck to drag my vehicle and me out. "