THE man himself admits: "I must be mad!"

But Paul Round, of Lower Cumberworth, is again to pit himself against one of the world's toughest challenges.

He leaves at the end of this month for Portugal - and the start of the 2007 Lisbon-Dakar Rally.

Amazing, it will be the ninth rally for Paul, 49. But this time, he's back behind the wheel of one of the special Desert Warriors that he has built for the challenge.

He has co-driver Martin Coulson alongside him in the vehicle which features a BMW three-litre engine and has cost more than £50,00 to put together.

In previous years, Paul has competed in the rally alongside his son Mark.

This time Mark is leading one of the support teams while Paul drives.

The Rounds are also behind a 50-strong team which features three cars and 10 racing bikes which will be lining up at the start on January 5.

The Dakar Rally, which has previously started in cities including Paris and Barcelona, sets off from Lisbon and is due to finish in Dakar in Senegal on January 21.

It covers about 6,000 miles of some of the world's toughest terrain, taking in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal, with stretches through deserts and across rocky mountain ranges.

Round said: "We're all off again and yes, I must be mad.

"It's my ninth Dakar rally but it's now a big business.

"We work all year on preparing cars and vehicles for the teams who come to us for support and then we have put together our own team which is more than 50 strong.

"I am delighted we are able to compete against some of the big boys, the works teams.

"Last year one of our bike riders was the highest-placed female finisher and we had success on some of the stages.

"It is tough but there's a great buzz about it.

"It started off as a hobby but it now takes up a great deal of my time."

The Rally Raid company run by the Rounds was set up in 1999 after their first Dakar rally.

Now they not only work on vehicles for the rally but provide expert support to help other Britons take part in the gruelling contest.