Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel, in a Mini, won Sunday his 10th title in the Dakar Rally, finishing in Lima ahead of his Spanish team-mate Nani Roma.
KTM's Cyril Despres of France won the motorcycle category ahead of defending champion Marc Coma of Spain.
Sunday's 29-kilometre special between Pisco and Lima only confirmed the overall standings after the 13th stage.
Peterhansel, who had won the Dakar Rally six times on a motorcycle and three times in a car before his latest win, led Roma, who won the 2004 edition of the race on a motorcycle, by 41 minutes 56 seconds.
"When you think of how hard it is to win a Dakar, it's incredible that I've been able to win ten of them," Peterhansel admitted, in comments posted on the Dakar Rally website.
In a car, he won the 2004, 2005 and 2007 editions as well as this one. Previously, he had won on a motorbike 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1998.
"To take the victory in South America is a huge relief, it ranks among my best triumphs. Moreover, the race was very close during the first week and there was always a lot of pressure," he said.
The 2009 cars champion Giniel de Villiers of South Africa completed the podium in central Lima's Plaza de Armas, 1:13:25 behind Peterhansel.
The 14th and final stage of the prestigious offroad race was won by US driver Robby Gordon, 21 seconds ahead of Ricardo Leal dos Santos of Portugal. Gordon was disqualified Tuesday for technical irregularities in his Hummer, but he was allowed to drive on pending appeal.
In the motorcycle section, Despres made the most of Coma's problems a day earlier. The Frenchman, who had already won the Dakar Rally in 2005, 2007 and 2010, won the race with a 53:20 lead over Coma, who led the overall standings as late as the start of Saurday's stage. Helder Rodrigues of Portugal finished third, 01:11:17 behind Despres.
"It's simply fantastic. This is without a shadow of a doubt the toughest Dakar I've ever raced in. It was difficult physically, but even more psychologically. Challenging yourself every morning and fighting on the course takes its toll on your mind," Despres said.
"All victories are beautiful, but this one is special because it came down to the wire and was decided at the last minute."
Pal Anders Ullevalseter of Norway won the final stage, 01:08 ahead of Coma.
Coma and Despres, both on KTM bikes, have between them won every edition of the Dakar Rally since 2005. However, neither one has managed to get back-to-back titles.
"I finished second in what was a difficult rally. I gave it my all every single day," Coma said.
"I'm going to work hard to try and win again next year. If we keep alternating... it should be my turn!"
Alejandro Patronelli of Argentina won the quad category, while Gerard de Rooy of the Netherlands carried victory among the trucks.
A total of 469 vehicles - cars, motorbikes, quads and trucks - set out from the Argentine seaside city of Mar del Plata on January 1. Only 242 vehicles managed to finish in Lima.
Participants completed 14 stages - one of which was cancelled due to snow - and covered more than 8,000 kilometres, including more than 4,000 kilometres of timed specials.
The Dakar Rally was held for the fourth straight year in South America. The endurance race took place in Africa from 1979-2007. It was moved to Argentina and Chile after fears of terrorist attacks in Mauritania led to a cancellation of the annual event in 2008.
This year, Argentina hosted five stages but was mostly a springboard for further action. In Chile, over five stages, the race went through the Andes and the challenging Atacama Desert. Peru became Thursday the 27th country to host the race in the history of the Dakar Rally, and contributed sand dunes which provided for plenty of excitement.
KTM's Cyril Despres of France won the motorcycle category ahead of defending champion Marc Coma of Spain.
Sunday's 29-kilometre special between Pisco and Lima only confirmed the overall standings after the 13th stage.
Peterhansel, who had won the Dakar Rally six times on a motorcycle and three times in a car before his latest win, led Roma, who won the 2004 edition of the race on a motorcycle, by 41 minutes 56 seconds.
"When you think of how hard it is to win a Dakar, it's incredible that I've been able to win ten of them," Peterhansel admitted, in comments posted on the Dakar Rally website.
In a car, he won the 2004, 2005 and 2007 editions as well as this one. Previously, he had won on a motorbike 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1998.
"To take the victory in South America is a huge relief, it ranks among my best triumphs. Moreover, the race was very close during the first week and there was always a lot of pressure," he said.
The 2009 cars champion Giniel de Villiers of South Africa completed the podium in central Lima's Plaza de Armas, 1:13:25 behind Peterhansel.
The 14th and final stage of the prestigious offroad race was won by US driver Robby Gordon, 21 seconds ahead of Ricardo Leal dos Santos of Portugal. Gordon was disqualified Tuesday for technical irregularities in his Hummer, but he was allowed to drive on pending appeal.
In the motorcycle section, Despres made the most of Coma's problems a day earlier. The Frenchman, who had already won the Dakar Rally in 2005, 2007 and 2010, won the race with a 53:20 lead over Coma, who led the overall standings as late as the start of Saurday's stage. Helder Rodrigues of Portugal finished third, 01:11:17 behind Despres.
"It's simply fantastic. This is without a shadow of a doubt the toughest Dakar I've ever raced in. It was difficult physically, but even more psychologically. Challenging yourself every morning and fighting on the course takes its toll on your mind," Despres said.
"All victories are beautiful, but this one is special because it came down to the wire and was decided at the last minute."
Pal Anders Ullevalseter of Norway won the final stage, 01:08 ahead of Coma.
Coma and Despres, both on KTM bikes, have between them won every edition of the Dakar Rally since 2005. However, neither one has managed to get back-to-back titles.
"I finished second in what was a difficult rally. I gave it my all every single day," Coma said.
"I'm going to work hard to try and win again next year. If we keep alternating... it should be my turn!"
Alejandro Patronelli of Argentina won the quad category, while Gerard de Rooy of the Netherlands carried victory among the trucks.
A total of 469 vehicles - cars, motorbikes, quads and trucks - set out from the Argentine seaside city of Mar del Plata on January 1. Only 242 vehicles managed to finish in Lima.
Participants completed 14 stages - one of which was cancelled due to snow - and covered more than 8,000 kilometres, including more than 4,000 kilometres of timed specials.
The Dakar Rally was held for the fourth straight year in South America. The endurance race took place in Africa from 1979-2007. It was moved to Argentina and Chile after fears of terrorist attacks in Mauritania led to a cancellation of the annual event in 2008.
This year, Argentina hosted five stages but was mostly a springboard for further action. In Chile, over five stages, the race went through the Andes and the challenging Atacama Desert. Peru became Thursday the 27th country to host the race in the history of the Dakar Rally, and contributed sand dunes which provided for plenty of excitement.
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