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Cees van der Velden's profile is incomplete. If you have any info that would enhance his profile, please contact us.

Born: 25.09.41
Died: 28.12.06
Started racing: 1966
Retired: ?

1967 - Dutch Champion, ? class.
1969 - Dutch Champion, IU; winner Berlin six hours, IU
1972 - F2 World Sprint Champion.
1973 - Winner Amsterdam three hours.
1975 - F2 World Sprint Champion; F2 European Champion.
1979 - F1 World Sprint Champion; winner of Canon Trophy.
1980 - F1 European Sprint Champion.
1981 - F1 European Sprint Champion; 2nd overall JPS F1 World Series.
1982 - 5th overall JPS F1 World Series.
1983 - Runner-up F1 World Series and Benson and hedges Gold Cup.
1984 - 6th overall in Bud Light F1 Series; 2nd overall in F1 World Series.
1985 - 14th overall in F1 World Series.
1986 - 3rd overall in F1 World Series.

Described by Nicolo di San Germano as "the only man I know who has made money out of powerboat racing... and managed to hang onto it".

In a racing career spanning 24 years he has won no less than seven World Championships titles and only an accident during the 1976 season denied Cees his eighth world crown.

The original "Flying Dutchman" was born in Nistelrode, Holland in 1941 and at the age of 23 he started his distinguished racing career in the vee hull 70 class. After two years he moved up to the IU 100 class, once again using a vee hull, though this time fitted with a 100 hp engine.

In 1970 Cees turned his attention to the 0l catamaran class and after just two seasons he won his first 0l World Championship. Using a works Mercury powered Molinari hull, he beat his arch rival and teammate Renato Molinari into second place. During the winter of 1974 Cees was offered a deal to become the works driver for the OMC factory team, this also gave him the perfect opportunity to design and build his own raceboats. The following season using a Velden he clinched the 0I World Championship title for OMC. Cees later returned to the Mercury works team and went on to secure them yet another world title, once again using a Velden hull. In the summer of '74 he and his American teammate Bill Seebold of St. Louis, Missouri teamed up to win the famous Paris 6-hour and Parker (Arizona) Enduro events.

Van der Velden was in his prime in the 1970s winning the ON class titles in 1974, 1975 and 1979, while winning the Continental ON titles in 1974, 1976, 1978 and 1979. He also captured the Continental OZ title in 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1981.

Prior to the 1983 WorId Championship, OMC persuaded Cees to rejoin them in their works team and this paid off, as Cees duly delivered them the World Championship title.

In 1989 he decided to hang up his helmet and dedicate more time to designing and building Velden boats. One year later he joined the UIM as a Commissioner to Formula One Series, and has since introduced many radical conceptions that has elevated both Formula One and Formula Three to a level of professionalism that was lacking prior to his involvement.

He died on 28th of December, 2006 – when he lost his battle to cancer.

The above article from f1boat.com

Date and location needed.

Date and location needed.

Bristol, 1973.

Seville, 1985. Cees with Barry Woods (left) and Arthur Mostert. Photo - Yannis Argyropoulos.

1984. Cees taking a break from racing. Photo - Dee Vee Photos.