Leader Carlos Sainz crashed out of the Dakar Rally when he careered off the track during the 12th stage from Fiambara to La Rioja .
Race organisers confirmed the Spaniard and his co-driver Michel Perin had abandoned the race and been flown by helicopter back to the starting point at Fiambara.
The race is being held in Argentina and Chile instead of its traditional venue Africa because of security fears in Mauritania.
