Dirk von Zitzewitz, who’s enjoyed success on a motorcycle and in the co-driver’s seat, has joined the Hellas Rally Raid as director of the Adventure Raid class.

Adventure Raid is a non-competition class for entrants to receive the rally experience without having to worry about setting the fastest time. All vehicles, whether two or four wheels, are eligible to take part and they still follow the same course as the main rally.

For the 2026 race, the organizers have created a “dedicated organizing team” for Adventure Raid. Von Zitzewitz was announced as that team’s director on Tuesday.

As part of his responsibilities, von Zitzewitz will oversee the Adventure Raid event structure and format. For example, the category’s navigation will now include both roadbook and GPS; the former is divided into paper and digital.

Von Zitzewitz won the Dakar Rally in 2009 as the navigator for Giniel de Villiers, and the two reunited for the 2025 edition. He was the longtime partner of Yazeed Al-Rajhi, winning the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. He announced his retirement from full-time navigating at the end of 2023 due to injuries.

He is also a 15-time German Enduro Champion who made his Dakar debut on a bike in 1997. After placing fifth in his maiden Dakar, von Zitzewitz won two stages at the 1998 edition and finished seventh. He transitioned to navigating in 2002.

The family has a decorated background in off-road bike racing. His brother Bert won the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy’s Veteran Trophy in early August, which nephew Davide also competed in.

The 2026 Hellas Rally Raid will run from May 25 to 31. Other changes for next year include the introduction of an M6 class for larger adventure bikes.

Featured image credit: Germain Hazard / DPPI