Months of preparation, hundreds of thousands of dollars and three days of frustrating administrative procedure all build up to the moment a racer rides over the raised dais to officially commence their race.

The coloured dais is already being used, just part of the mass of colour at La Rural, Dakar's first base.

I am sitting at my computer at La Rural for the first time in 24 hours having successfully completed the stringent safety and administrative checks, and covering my little rental Fiat in the official stickers that will identify us on the Assistance route.

The sight of the little grey Fiat in full sponsored and lime green number panelled glory, with '947' emblazoned on its side elicits laughter from all around. I now love this little car and I've decided to name it 'Frances'.

Equally uplifting is the camaraderie between competitors as each stop to take photos of each others' car, truck, bike or quad.

Smiles are everywhere, even through the fog of administration. It's a wonder though that the fog is not thicker. Over 500 entrants, and thousands of support crew, photographers, cameramen and journalists, coupled with the danger of striking out for two weeks across isolated and difficult terrain mean a mountain of checks, rechecks and regulations.

Frustration bubbles up from time to time, but only for a moment as the dedicated workers of the Amuary Sport Organisation ooze French charm over each and every issue.

The sound of hundreds of people with dozens of accents and languages is strangely warming.

Here the languages don't clash, they meld into one another – Spanish, English and French are spoken in equal measures, everyone making a point to speak at least the simple words in the native tongue of the person opposite.

For the spectators there is plenty. An enclosed inspection area, similar to that used in Homebush for the V8 Supercar Grand Finale recently, leads out onto a winding path lined by spectators, and out over the dais. Racing may not have started yet, but already thousands of people stand four-deep at the fence to watch these bizarre vehicles pass by.

Turning the scrutineering process into a spectator sport was a master-touch, while music, auto displays and a Red Bull play area only deepen the carnival atmosphere.

Right across the world it is New Year's Eve. In Buenos Aires, it's Dakar eve.

Feliz Nueve Anos! (Happy New Year!)


Click here for more of Jacob Black's Deep in the Dust.

:: SBS ONE will show daily highlights of Dakar 2010, every night at 6:00pm AEDT from January 3 to 17. Or stay online at www.sbs.com.au/dakar for video extras, all the latest news, and expert blogs.