Mark Sekiya

Masanori Sekiya, born on November 27, 1949, is a retired Japanese racing driver celebrated as the first Japanese driver to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. This historic victory was achieved driving a McLaren F1 GTR for Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing, marking a significant milestone in Japanese motorsport history.

Sekiya's career spanned various racing disciplines, including the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship and Formula Nippon from 1987 to 1993, primarily with the Leyton House team. While victories in these series eluded him, he consistently performed well, securing fourth place in the standings in both 1988 and 1989. He also competed in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, All Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC), and Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC). In 1994, he clinched the JTCC title while driving a Toyota Chaser for the TOM'S team.

A long-time Toyota works driver, Sekiya retired from professional motorsports in October 2000. Since retiring, he has remained involved in the sport as a team manager for the Super GT division of Toyota Team TOM'S and also runs a racing school at Fuji Speedway, where he nurtures young talents. His legacy extends beyond his on-track achievements, as he has played a crucial role in developing the next generation of Japanese racing drivers, including notable names like Kazuki Nakajima and Kamui Kobayashi.