Dirk von Zitzewitz

Dirk von Zitzewitz (born 14 October 1968, in Eutin) is a German professional racing driver and motorcyclist, most notable for being on the winning team of the 2009 Dakar Rally alongside Giniel de Villiers.

Von Zitzewitz started his career age 14, and after considerable success in domestic and world enduro competition he began to participate in the Dakar Rally, making his debut in 1997.

Von Zitzewitz took his first Dakar stage wins as co-driver to Giniel de Villiers in 2007, but turbo failure meant the pair would only finish eleventh overall.

[1] When the event resumed in South America in 2009, von Zitzewitz and de Villiers won four stages en route to an overall victory, albeit aided by retirement for long-time leader and Volkswagen teammate Carlos Sainz.

The pair were unable to defend their title in 2010 due to a severe engine problem during the third stage of the rally,[2] but then finished in a strong runner-up place to Nasser Al-Attiyah, also at the wheel of a works Volkswagen, in the 2011 event.