A first complement of entries in the Algeria-Central Africa Motor Rally left Algiers, Jan 19, on the initial 550-miles state to El Golea, on the eastern fringe of the Great Western Erg desert. More starters were to leave the following day.

Production cars - including Auto-Union, Borgward, Citroen and Mercedes - are driven by mixed teams from Austria, Belgium, Britain, franc, Germany Switzerland, the United States and other countries.

Originally planned as an Algeria-Capetown rally, then shortened because of the upheaval in the Congo, the event finishes at Bangui, a border town on the banks of the Congo River, in the Central African Republic. Drivers cover a total of 7,415 miles, through Algeria - including a Sahara crossing in two directions - Niger, Nigeria, the British Cameroons, the Cameroon Republic, the Tohad, and the former French territory of Oubangi-Chari, now known ad the Central African Republic.

Arrival times at Bangui will vary with the average speeds for each type of car, but all drivers are expected back at Algiers, Feb 6, for a final round of celebrations.