Former motor sports association champ Velez dies

BARCELONA, Spain -- Champion driver Fermin Velez died of cancer Monday, three days shy of his 44th birthday.

Among the career highlights for the Spanish driver were victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1995 and 1997 and a 10th-place finish in the 1997 Indianapolis 500.

The former International Motor Sports Association champion was the FIA World Sports Car C2 champion in 1987 and 1989 and IMSA World Sports Car champion in 1995 and 1997. Most recently, Velez won the championship in the 2000 Spanish GTB Championship class.

Velez ran in 58 IMSA events from 1990 through 1998, earning 11 wins, five in the Lights class, six in WSC.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2003, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved