Archaeologist/Researcher Frederick Hanselmann 
Watch Collection:
| Carlos Velez |
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Meet Carlos Velez, he's a professional race-car driver and instructor and... he wears the Debaufre Nav-B Classic watch.
Purchase your Debaufre Nav-B Classic watch. (Source: MotorSport.com) Racing is not something most drivers casually decide to take up as a hobby. There have been playboy drivers in the past with more money than talent or sense who thought it might be fun to indulge in the racing lifestyle, but they never lasted. To drive a race car competitively takes more than an urge for excitement - it's a fierce, single-minded craving. When not on track, drivers are waiting impatiently for the next chance to be there; when out of a drive, they're working every second to get one. It's what they live for and that's why Carlos Velez is as motivated [as] any of them. Born in Mexico but now a US resident, Velez was Mexican national Karting champion in 1992, which promoted him to Formula Renault, known in Mexico as Formula Reynard. In '93 and '94 he finished second and fourth overall with Prometeo and was also an F3 test driver for Pennzoil. He made his first foray into US racing when he passed the rookie test for CART Indy Lights with Dick Simon Racing in 1994. The year 1995 saw Velez start a successful period in international F3, initially in the 'B' class, where he finished fourth in the standings. He also competed in F3000 but sponsorship problems prevented him from finishing the season and left him stranded in Europe without finances. Hoping to gain experience wherever he could, Carlos became an assistant to Charlie Moody, then-manager for the Simtek Formula One team, from January to mid-season. In '96 Carlos was back in international F3, and was named Rookie of the Year in the 'A' class with a sixth place finish in the standings. He followed up with fourth and fifth places in the next two years. Velez broadened his horizons with events in Mexico, America, Europe and the UK, always learning, always active in racing even when not in a race seat. He also spent time in Australia assisting Fred Gibbson Racing. Biography of Carlos Velez: Professional Driver, Instructor, Facilitator. Racing Experience: 1992: Karting National Champion, National B Class. 1993: Formula Renault. 4th place on Championship. 1994: Formula Renault. 2nd place on Championship. 1994: FIA International F3. Pennzoil Team, Test Driver. 1994: Test Cart Indy Light with Dick Simon Racing, Putnam Park IN. 1995: European FIA Formula 3000 with Vortex Motorsports, Financially Unable to finish the season. 1995: JAN-MAY, worked for Simtek Formula 1 Team, Helping Team Manager Charlie Moody. 1995: FIA International Formula 3”A”, 6 Races. 6 top 10 finishes. 1996: FIA International Formula 3. Rookie of the Year. 1997: Australian V8 Turing Cars. Test driver for Fred Gibson. Gibson Motorsports. 1998: FIA International Formula 3. 6 Races. 2000: Indy Racing League. Test at TMS with Pelfrey Racing/PDM. 2001: PanAmerican Indy Car. 8 Races. 5 top 10 finishes. 2001; Retired from active competition. Instructing Experience: 1999-2001: Skip Barber Racing School Corporate Instructor. Lime Rock Park, CT. SBRS Retail Racing Schools Instructor. Corporate Racing Events Logistics Coordinator. 1997-2002: Skip Barber Special Projects Instructor, Driver. Worked in Car Launge, Test and Ride & Drive Tours for the following car brands: BMW, SAAB, GM, GMC, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge Latin America, GM Latin America, Ferrari North America, Honda, Michelin, VW, Audi, Ford, Ford Svtoa, Viper Invitational, Bridgestone, Lexus. Instructor/Driver/Facilitator. Spokesperson: 2002-2004: Instructor at the BMW Performance Center. BMW M School Instructor. BMW Z8, M5 and X5 Schools Instructor. Spokesperson. 2001-2002: Panoz Racing School Instructor, Texas Motor Speedway. Audi High Performance Driving School Instructor. Audi Teen Driving School. 2002-2004: AMCI (Automotive Marketing Consultants Inc.) Program Manager, Driver, Facilitator. Spokesperson. 2003-2004: Mazda Rev It Up Lead Driver, Media/Driver, Facilitator. Lexus High Performance School Instructor. Lexus "iSPA Tour" Driver. Spokesperson. 2002-2004: Mercedes Benz "C" Spot Tour Driver. Mercedes AMG Challenge Driver. Cadillac Summit Driver/Facilitator. Toyota Pryus "Real Life Testing" Driver/Instructor. Lexus Equestrian Tour Instructor, Driver, Facilitator. Spokesperson. 2004-Present: Marlboro/Penske Promotional Team Racing Driver. Penske Racing Experience. Marlboro Racing School Instructor/Driver. Marlboro/Penske "Hotlaps" Professional Driver. Road Course coordinator. Lead Driver/Facilitator for Marlboro Hotlaps Events. Professional Driver for the Toyota "TORA" (Toyota Off Road Adventure) Tour, for PDI. (Precision Dynamics Inc.) Product Specialist for the new Lexus ISF at the Sema Motor Show in Las Vegas (USA Largest Automotive Show & Convention) for AMCI (Automotive Marketing Consultants Inc.) |
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