Veteran Lu has to quit Dakar

Mechanical problems have eliminated veteran Chinese rally driver Lu Ningjun from the 2011 Dakar Rally.

Lu, 53, arrived too late for the first stage on Sunday due to an engine problem with his China-made Chery Rely X5 and will take no part in the world's most grueling off-road rally in South America.

Lu's role has now changed from competing in his seventh Dakar Rally to helping his teammates achieve better results.