The first step towards rally does not have to begin in the desert. The Blue Day Rally combines motorcycling with navigation, checkpoints and riding tasks. Its 12 September 2026 edition in the Thuringian Forest has now taken place. It is a good occasion to look at a format that gives newcomers access to competitive roadbook riding.
As of 25 September 2026. The results have been published by MC Freital.
Ready to race? First, it is about orientation
The Blue Day Rally is a sport-touring orientation event run by Hessler Rallye Team and MC Freital. Start and finish were at the “Am Waldbad” campsite in Breitenbach near Schleusingen. According to the organiser, a motorsport licence and club membership were not required; a driving licence, vehicle registration and insurance were. The German road traffic regulations (StVO) apply on public roads.
The task is to find a set route, reach checkpoints correctly and document the passage. The organiser also lists special tasks such as slalom, acceleration and braking tests. The sporting contest is therefore more than a group ride, but no licence to ride fast in public traffic. Source: MC Freital event description.
Two classifications, different demands
Hessler announced the Sachsen-Pokal at around 200 kilometres as the more beginner-friendly option. The Blue Day Pokal at around 270 kilometres was designed to be more demanding. The general MC Freital page, however, describes the longer route as roughly 300 kilometres; the exact distance actually ridden cannot be determined with certainty from this.
The plan was a mix of small tarmac roads and legally rideable unpaved tracks, according to Hessler around half unpaved depending on the category. Navigation was by digital roadbook and tripmaster; the organiser offered the software free of charge. Adventure bikes and enduro motorcycles were expressly invited. A maximum of 29 places were offered at an entry fee of 59 euros. These details describe the 2026 edition and are not a current booking offer. Source: Hessler Motorsport.
The 2026 results
| Classification | Position | Rider |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Day Pokal / ADMV | 1 | Horst Hoffmann |
| Blue Day Pokal / ADMV | 2 | Till Süßkind |
| Blue Day Pokal / ADMV | 3 | Jürgen Prehl |
| SAC-Pokal / Sachsenmeisterschaft | 1 | Mirko Knorr |
| SAC-Pokal / Sachsenmeisterschaft | 2 | Stefan Zoll |
| SAC-Pokal / Sachsenmeisterschaft | 3 | Felix Krebs |
Sources: official results lists Blue Day Pokal and SAC-Pokal.
A look at the motorcycles shows the range: Horst Hoffmann won the Blue Day Pokal on a Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. Jürgen Prehl finished third on a Honda CRF 300 Rally. In the SAC-Pokal, Felix Krebs took third place on a Yamaha Ténéré 700. The results show that different motorcycle concepts come together here. They do not allow an isolated comparison of the machines – rider, navigation and avoiding mistakes always play their part.
What newcomers can take from it
Our assessment: Such a format is interesting for getting started because it demands several basics at once: reading roadbook symbols, tracking distances, documenting checks and staying focused for hours. These are skills that can also help in later rally raid projects. However, completing an orientation rally is no substitute for preparing for desert stages or fast competitive special tests.
Before the first start, operating the navigation equipment should be familiar. A short practice loop with your own device shows more reliably than a speculative purchase whether the display, mount and power supply work. On the road, when in doubt, it is worth stopping safely and checking the last unambiguous roadbook position.
The Blue Day Rally approach is thus a concrete way in: learning to navigate on a suitable road-legal motorcycle, getting through a long riding day and placing your own ability in a classification. Anyone who sees “Start zum Race” as the beginning of a personal rally development will find a fitting example here.
Image credits
- Text image 1 – rider scene:
Photo: wheels and vibes, Blue Day Rally 2021.
Source: MC Freital, Blue Day Rally event page. - Text image 2 – riding task:
Photo: wheels and vibes, Blue Day Rally 2021.
Source: MC Freital, Blue Day Rally event page. - Cover image and social media image:
AI illustrations created with the integrated image tool on the subject of roadbook riding in the Thuringian Forest. Not original photographs of the Blue Day Rally 2026.