Spectators narrowly avoid disaster in horror Dakar Rally crash

Frightening footage has emerged of the moment Carlos Sainz's car came perilously close to wiping out spectators as he crashed out of the Dakar Rally.

As you can see in the video above, the Spaniard lost control of his vehicle which rolled over just five kilometres from the finish of the gruelling fourth stage between San Salvador de Jujuy in Argentine and Tupiza in Bolivia.

The car hurtled towards two spectators, who managed to scramble out of the way at the last second, clambering down an embankment to safety.

Sainz was lucky to walk way unscathed but was forced out of the Dakar Rally after his Peugeot was badly damaged.

The 2010 Dakar winner is the second top auto competitor to quit the race in South America after former two-time winner Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar.

"It appears that the necessary work cannot be carried out within the time allowed," Peugeot Sport said in a statement.

"I'm obviously very disappointed by this withdrawal," said Sainz, also a two-time world rally champion in 1990 and 1992.

"I regret not being able to to challenge."

Sainz had been provisionally third in the standings when misfortune hit more than seven minutes behind French race leader and Peugeot teammate Cyril Despres.

Aussie Toby Price also crashed out of the motorbikes race, badly fracturing his leg.

with AFP