World Touring Car Championship stars Tom and Tim Coronel have refused to give up on their quest to complete the 2009 Dakar Rally in South America despite numerous technical issues.

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The twins guided their Bowler Nemesis car to 35th position in Monday's stage nine after engine problems slowed their progress, leaving them 73rd in the overall standings.

The Coronels narrowly escaped disqualification during the fifth stage of the event when initial engine problems forced them to make a detour to reach base camp.

However race organisers decided to cancel the stage due to a number of incidents, which saved them; and after repairing the Nemesis, they managed an impressive 17th-place finish in the sixth stage.

The rally has moved from Argentina to Chile, with the competitors now racing across the Atacama Desert.

The rally will come to an end on Saturday in Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.