Russian Vladimir Chagin (Kamaz) won on Saturday the first special stage of the legendary off-road Dakar Rally in Buenos Aires, bringing his record of special stage victories in the truck category to 48, the official website of the rally said.

The Russian team's Kamaz covered first 251 kilometers (156 miles) of the route in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 47 seconds, just 27 seconds faster than Czech driver Ales Loprais's Tatra. Another Kamaz, driven by Russian Firdaus Kabirov, took third place, trailing the leader by 4 minutes.

Spaniard Nani Roma grabbed the leadership in the car category, Frenchman David Casteu was the fastest among the bikers, and Poland's Rafal Sonik won the first stage of the rally in the quad category.

The Russian team already has seven winning titles from the legendary off-road rally. Vladimir Chagin has so far won the race five times.

2010 Dakar Rally is the 31st event. It is in South America for the second successive time and will run until 16. Last year marked the first time that the rally, founded in 1979, has taken place outside Africa, in South America, due to safety reasons.

Teams from 50 countries on 52 trucks, 160 motorcycles and 138 cars are taking part in the race that kicked off from the Obelisk on Buenos Aires's central 9th of July Avenue on New Year's Day.

The total racing distance is 9,030 km (5,610 miles) for cars and trucks, and 8,937 km (5,553 miles) for bikes and ATVs. There are seven stages in Argentina, and seven in Chile.

MOSCOW, January 3 (RIA Novosti)