Race2Recovery, an Anglo-American team of injured ex-servicemen, is to take on the Dakar Rally for the second time, in what is set to be one of the most gruelling instances of the famous race ever.

This year, the Race2Recovery team will start out in Rosario, Argentina on January 5 and, if all goes according to plan, will arrive in Valparaiso, Chile on January 18. Each stage of this year’s rally has been extended by 30 miles, contributing to a total of 3,400 miles for the entire race.

While this distance sounds challenging enough, the real distance travelled may be up to 6,500 miles, once the distances travelled to bivouac and camp sites is taken into account.

Major Matt O'Hare, who suffered back injuries after an attack by a suicide bomber, and Corporal Phillip (Barney) Gillespie, who lost his leg below the knee after an IED explosion in Afghanistan, are keen to reach the end of this year’s rally (as they did last year), and raise funds for their recovery centre. Tedworth House Personal Recovery Centre is where both men received treatment after their injuries.

Race2Recovery was dreamt up by Captain Tony Harris and Corporal Tom Neathway, both of whom were injured and treated at Tedworth House, and who both met considerable challenges to get the team over to last year’s Dakar Rally, also held in South America.

Writing in the Telegraph, Corporal Phillip (Barney) Gillespie talked about the scepticism faced by the team from those who said they couldn’t make it. But 18 months after the idea came about, four rally cars and three support trucks along with 28 people were ready to take Race2Recovery into the Dakar.

Last year’s race resulted in only one Race2Recovery vehicle making it to the finish; this year the team hopes even more team members will make it.

Here at startrescue.co.uk we might advise the guys at Race2Recovery to take out some breakdown insurance – but with the team they have behind them, they probably won’t need it