Rabat – Karim Sekkat has become the first Moroccan driver to compete in the legendary 24 Hours of Nürburgring in Germany, one of the world’s most demanding endurance races.
Known as the “Green Hell,” the Nürburgring Nordschleife stretches across nearly 25 kilometers of unforgiving terrain, combining high-speed sections, sharp elevation changes, blind corners, and unpredictable weather conditions.
This year’s edition brought together 172 registered teams, with 162 cars ultimately taking the start.
Driving the #967 Breakell Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Sekkat finished 12th in his category after an intense race contested in front of 352,000 spectators and nearly 600 international drivers.
The Moroccan driver and his teammates faced a major setback after a collision forced the car into the pits for more than three hours of repairs.
Returning to the track at night and in heavy rain, while running slick tires ill-suited to the conditions, Sekkat pushed on through one of the most dangerous circuits in world motorsport, where a single mistake can end a race instantly.
Beyond the final result, Sekkat’s participation carries symbolic significance for Moroccan motorsport.
At 46 years old, he continues to build an unconventional and inspiring racing career that began later than most professional drivers.
Over four seasons in the Ginetta GT5 Championship, he secured six wins and 16 podium finishes, finishing runner-up in 2020 and third overall in 2022.
In 2024, he stepped up to the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB with Breakell Racing, where he claimed third place in the Clubsport Am category.
According to Driver Database rankings, Sekkat is currently the highest-ranked active Moroccan racing driver by career race starts, with 121 starts to his name.
Every race he enters also carries the logo of SOS Children’s Villages, the international charity supporting children without parental care, reflecting a commitment that extends beyond competition.
Outside motorsport, Sekkat is also a licensed skydiver, kitesurfer, Ironman finisher, and the head of Oxford Engineering, a British manufacturing company employing around 150 people and once described by the UK government as “a jewel in the crown of British engineering.”
By taking on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Karim Sekkat has not only completed one of racing’s toughest challenges, but also opened a new chapter for Moroccan representation in international endurance motorsport.
