2000 CART Fontana - Gil de Ferran's Closed Course Qualifying Record

[@PG2248CoasterNews]

Auto Club and Gil may both be gone, but this record will stand forever in history

[@tthevictorr]

240 mph laps, a concrete wall, ultra low downforce, no margin for error, these drivers were absolutely fearless.

[@AlonsoRules]

but you have pay drivers making it less safe

[@AlonsoRules]

Kevin Conway was a joke lol

[@samuelheddle]

virtually anyone who gets into racing these days has financial backing.

[@villy27]

@sticklift I tell you what. Racing is expensive. Since the early days of this sport there always have been pay drivers or "gentlemen drivers"... IndyCar racing still is one of the most dangerous forms of racing all over the world.

[@jordanadkins2427]

Stupid, too.

[@bryanassissilva3674]

Rest in Peace Mr Gil. You re one of the best racers I ever watched my respect and my prays for you forever. Descanse em Paz Gil e obrigado pelos momentos alegres e emocionantes tanto na CART como na IRL.

[@DCTib]

RIP Gil...one of the greatest...I'll always remember witnessing this achievement in person at the track

[@Theel25]

Just here after he passed away. Absolutely terrible news, he was a fantastic driver who reached the peak of CART and Indianapolis, and set records such as this along the way. This iconic lap will forever live on as a mark of just who Gil de Ferran was.

[@treyblaze22]

What?!! He died?!!!

[@podjun80]

​@treyblaze22 yes. Heart attack at 56 years old..

[@treyblaze22]

@@podjun80 man, that's is devastating.

[@andrewwinslow9315]

21 years later, it still stands as the fastest lap in racing history

[@briantaylor9285]

I'll never forget this line from an ad for a CART game from a Game Pro magazine: "At 248mph not even FEAR can catch you."

[@erikcampen8276]

RIP Gil. Such a great ambassador to the sport. Such a loss.

[@48rulesall]

2000 CART Pole: Gil de Ferran, 241MPH 2012 IndyCar Pole: Marco Andretti, 216MPH

[@jameskidd4767]

Pato Oward trapped 241 entering turn 3 this year.

[@danielhenderson8316]

​@@jameskidd4767 And still ended up around a 232 avg, and since the hybrids are delayed again, we're not breaking Arye's 236mph average.

[@kg0173]

CART messured the track the way that it shows higher speeds.

[@andrewwinslow9315]

"Everyone always asks Why Always Say 'Until We Meet Again' instead of Goodbye. To me, Goodbye Is always so final" Marty Reid Goodbye Gil de Ferran. Thank you for all the greatness you shared with us. We will always hold a place for you in our hearts. And you will always be the fastest driver in history.

[@tommythetreat000]

RIP Gil. You'll always have a place in motorsport history with this record.

[@davidvenesky9053]

That's no joke. That qualifying was literally a matter of life or death. Absolutely no room for error.

[@marcelloribeiro2750]

Beautiful car...... i really miss CART.

[@alex98b76]

Marcello Ribeiro the engines rev up to 16350rpm!

[@parksed24]

That engine is screaming! I miss this.

[@l-vaeronautics2734]

Total legend. We woke up this morning the Gil de Ferran passed away yesterday. Total shock. Rest in Peace.

[@Leon-Hardt]

In memory of Gil de Ferran (11 November 1967 - 29 December 2023)

[@HHPYE42]

the fastest man in open wheel history. RIP

[@Bobcat205]

This era of CART was the closest we have ever been to actual F-Zero.

[@StuartH2709]

Came to watch this lap after hearing the sad news 😥. I remember watching this lap in 2000, absolutely stunning. Think this will stand for many more decades. RIP Gil, thank you for the memories 🕊️🙏

[@bradconrad1961]

He did this with the Handford Device on the rear wing, which probably slowed the car at least 10 mph.

[@gavinvalentino1313]

And if a frog had wings it wouldn't bump its ass when it hopped.

[@heldencalado8228]

Rest in peace, legend!

[@NSmyth1031]

I remember hearing them from my front yard 15 miles from California Speedway

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Nick Smyth woahhhh that is amazing!!

[@junrowdy]

Nick Smyth I could hear them from 10miles away out here in Jurupa valley They were truly something special

[@DiegoRuiz1991]

@@TeganCantEven - Nick Smyth is NOT exaggerating. I live 10 miles in a straight line from the Circuit de Cataluña, a racetrack that is used annually by MotoGp, F1 and many other championship. Back in the early-mid 2000s, during pre-season testing, you could hear the F1 cars from my house. It wasn't a constant sound but, whenever they were at the end of the frontstraight and going up the very long right-hander (closest 2 points to my house), you'd hear the cars. Oddly enough, during race weekends, the crowds on the grandstands or maybe people just being more active between the racetrack and my house stopped the noise, you wouldn't be able to hear them even though there were usually SEVERAL cars on track! I can guarantee you that there's a chance Nick Smyth could be hearing those cars.

[@almitydave]

I went to the 2002 CART race at Fontana, and the sound was amazing. I remember while driving to the race, there was a single car warming up on track, and although I was still a mile away, I could hear it from inside my car with the windows up and the radio on. Once I was in the seats, it was even more incredible. The TV broadcasts just did not convey (nor could they) what these cars were like in person. I'm so grateful for that experience (and for earplugs!).

[@kg0173]

IRL NA cars were louder.

[@gosmo4504]

The best sound in the world when CART was at it's heyday. IRL is enjoyable, but never what CART was.

[@TrainWreck444]

I remember going to the Molson Indy Toronto (now Honda Indy) as little kid back then... they would give out earplugs.... I remember saying to my Dad, "What are these for? the sound is the best part!"

[@MrJuggernautishere]

modern Turbocharged era pretty good though

[@LichaelMewis]

💯💯💯

[@encinobalboa]

CART was stable for the longest time and was beginning to attract multiple international engine manufacturers and multiple chassis makers. Tony George ruined all that and went on to lose millions of his family's money.

[@mrterp04]

@@encinobalboa on the flip side, CART would’ve avoided all of that by humoring TG by putting him on the board as a voting member

[@F1Kamel_1992]

Obrigado Gil 🏁🇧🇷🏎

[@DavidRSAT]

Dude, if he cut a tire on that straight he’d end up in Saturn.

[@AlonsoRules]

Firestone tyres - they don't fail, ever

[@danielhenderson8316]

@@AlonsoRules It wouldn't happen in a Goodyear. They'd never have enough grip to get up to that speed.

[@TeganCantEven]

RIP legend. 💔 You will be missed. Thank you for the memories. You had an incredible career. This lap will live forever.

[@Ronald.1987]

🕊RIP Gil de Ferran 🇧🇷 (1967- 2023) thanks for everything.

[@jonnyspa27]

This needs a "LOVE" button!

[@Alcochaser]

jonnyspa27 z%

[@KatschingAUT]

Man, Roger already looked pretty old 20 years ago. This man seems to be immortal

[@cgt1373]

He is immortal

[@AlistairMaxwell77]

@@cgt1373 billions of dollars always helps

[@sergioendallas5652]

R.i.p. gladiador !!! Gracias sigue girando en el cielo x siempre !!!

[@armorgeddon]

He did more than 250 on the straight.

[@AMilPorHoraComRodrigoMattar]

252 or 255 mph, I guess.

[@armorgeddon]

@@AMilPorHoraComRodrigoMattar Yes, somewhere around those figures could be right. Champcars reached 256 mph AFAIK, though I'm not sure if that was the case here in the year 2000 when the Handford wing already increased the drag significantly So my guess would be that the topspeeds were the highest in 1997 and only for the Penske cars at Indy 1994 though I have no prove at hand.

[@Luizao004]

@@AMilPorHoraComRodrigoMattar sim, em classificação. Cristiano da Matta fala numa entrevista ao Boteco F1 que certa vez, num treino livre, ele estava limitado em 250mph, o que dava 408 km/h, e ele bateu limitador numa reta pegando vácuo de 3 carros. Curiosidades bacanas da era de outro do automobilismo brasileiro 🇧🇷🤙

[@AMilPorHoraComRodrigoMattar]

@@armorgeddon JPM reaches an unbeliveable top speed at practice. 242.333 mph

[@armorgeddon]

@@AMilPorHoraComRodrigoMattar That was actually Gugelmin's practice lap in 1997. Montoya did 242.253 mph in the year 2000 practice. Both are practice laps though and don't count as official records since slipstreaming plays are role in practice.

[@Tixio_T]

The absolute heart of a lion you have to have to even attempt such a feat like this, rest in peace to Gil de Ferran 🙏

[@LCRLive687]

That sound is so perfect. These exact turbo V8's, as well as the Naturally aspirated V10 and V12 engines from F1 are the most ideal machines of the motorsport universe.

[@FM1163-tt2lh]

A rocket of a car in the hands of one of the finest drivers ever. Grande Gil de Ferran. RIP.

[@fernandosantos4763]

RIP Gil de Ferran !! Two times CART Champion forever !!

[@colindarmody]

Rest in Peace legend. We're gonna miss you Gil.

[@kimifan06]

it's a crime against history to tear the track down after this. so sad.

[@HomeDepot20TS]

I love the sound of the engine. I watch the video just to listen to the car moreso than see the historic lap.

[@glenmccarthy8482]

Racing was at its peak with the cigarette money sponsorship.

[@Spyker8921]

The streets will never forget this record. RIP Gil

[@marcussundstrom4570]

Rest in Peace, CART legend!

[@heavierthanairfilms]

Without going below 241... that car must have hit 250 flat out.

[@neogenmatrix6162]

Backstretch and front stretch 250mph plus, in turns about ~230

[@mkay1957]

I cant remember if it was Fontana in 2000, but some of the drivers were running the rear wing flat in practice and were hitting well over 250MPH trap speeds, topped by Paul Tracy at 263+MPH!

[@nolancain8792]

WITH a Hanford device too. Without it, probably could’ve been 243-245.

[@charlesanzalone5846]

260 going Into turn 3

[@91lemlem]

such a shame we never got to see these cars at Indianapolis. Would have been unreal.

[@D2Kprime]

Would not have been safe to run cars this fast at Indy. Margin of error is too small. Tracks like this one or Michigan are nice and wide.

[@91lemlem]

@@D2Kprime it was just a dream. For me these chassis, 99, 00, 01 were the best looking of any era, they just looked mean and bloody fast even when stationary, and in my eyes Indianapolis is the pinnacle. It's nice to dream, even for just a second.

[@penskepc2374]

We basically did, these cars weren't such a giant leap from 95.

[@nolancain8792]

Jared F127 1996 is the closest they got, 237 average.

[@TheBeardedGentleman]

@@nolancain8792 1996 also had a little bit of shenanigans to get that number. Remember 1996 was the first IRL Indy 500 and CART put a race directly against Indy. Tony George needed something BIG to show they were still the fastest, so they repaved the track and fiddled with boost levels. That's where Luyundyk's track record came from.

[@jonarauzo]

In the good old days, I used to have time to watch these race cars in the Indianapolis 500. Gil de Ferran was quite the Formula 1 race car driver at the young age of 33. Very sad that he died recently. RIP

[@m598lmr]

RIP De Ferran. One of the greatest drivers ever.

[@DCTib]

I was there. Sat in turn 4. CART was amazing.

[@messier1126]

RIP Gil, fastest man on four wheels.

[@dkman1995]

Rest in Peace, Gil. Great memory from a great driver.

[@pajasa62]

de Ferran is a nice guy. I saw him in the garages at last years race at Fontana and he is always around the Indy 500 the day before. I can't wait till Saturday next week....Fontana is such a great place to view the race because if your sets are high enough you can just follow the cars completely around the track as opposed to a place like Indy where you just see the portion of the track where you are sitting....plus in Fontana you get this gorgeous backdrop of the mountains.

[@JockoFlocko]

Man, the golden years of CART. I thank GOD every time I see a modern day "Indy Car" race on television that I was able to travel with my dad from just outside of Toronto to Michigan Speedway once a year from 1991 up until the year they withdrew Michigan from the schedule. I don't think I'll ever see in person the type of racing I used to watch at Michigan and Indianapolis Motor Speedway each year. Those were the good old days. :~

[@javiergarrido6088]

Oh man, we lost this great driver today 12/29/2023 , Gil de Ferran. RIP 😭🙏🏻

[@BMK500]

That that engine is SCREAMING

[@jonnyspa27]

What I love is how much that Honda SCREAMED! Man Gil was winding that tight. This era of CC still sends chills up my spine...EXCELLENT!

[@zacharysmithingell5460]

I miss Fontana so much. Absolutely my favorite oval outside Indianapolis.

[@johnniecinco6698]

Remember the foundry scenes from Terminator 2? Fontana was built on that spot after it was demolished.

[@BigCheeseIsReal]

F In Chat For Fontana

[@qcramair84]

Racing in the skies now. 😔 RIP Legend.

[@GDH1981]

That noise at 2.38!

[@FunkyFresh48]

He had his foot in it. 😁

[@jj5546]

Goose bumps!!!!

[@PresidentialRobloxCrew]

Sounds like a fighter jet flying from up above

[@ryansheehan9462]

Chriswhite23 That’s basically what these cars were! Miss those days.

[@memberFU]

2:35 - 2:44 that sound is incredible !! brings back memories of being there !!

[@mpower950]

This is what Indycars should sound like. Always.

[@jamesshunt5123]

15 years later and it still hasn't been broken. Good times!

[@AlonsoRules]

James Shunt I reckon if they took one of these cars to the repaved Michigan, its a chance

[@kennethkilleen8758]

James Shunt I thought mansell did 250 mph

[@penskepc2374]

@@kennethkilleen8758 Mansells was a trap speed and its wasn't 250, the highest trap speed was paul tracy at 257

[@R9naldo]

It's 2022. The modern indycars are shit, won't get anywhere near

[@carlosroman2905]

2022 and still hasn’t been broken 😂

[@mikep197]

What an incredible sound

[@vicdelafuente6939]

What a beautiful sound!

[@kartingbeast93]

I've seen this now almost 5 times. and every time i see it I'm shocked by how unbelievably fast he's going.

[@gamblour]

RIP, Gil. You were taken from us too soon. 😥

[@StuartH2709]

Anyone else agree that Motorsport peaked in the late 90's/early 00's? Drivers, tracks, car aesthetics, sounds, liveries; everything since then has gone on a downward trajectory.

[@kg0173]

yet there was nobody in the stands.

[@danielhenderson8316]

@@kg0173No one shows up for oval qualifying except an Indy because it's boring.

[@Nitro55555]

21 years ago today as I type this, one of the most exhilarating moments in Motorsports.

[@Toro_Da_Corsa]

RIP. Forever a legend

[@mikulitsi1819]

2:35-2:48 Holy shit what a sound

[@DCTib]

The beautiful sound of a 2.75L twin turbo V8 at over 15,000 rpm

[@mikulitsi1819]

@@DCTib To think Gil is now dead... RIP

[@petmitsu]

These cars are on a whole different level compared to today's Indycars.

[@skyhigh6089]

Much more successful series, much higher budgets. Thank the Hulman family for ruining IndyCar.

[@Avofan]

How a real car sounds. Glad to have witness those cars live.

[@Icosiol]

Was supposed to be two new drivers with Gil de Ferran, and Greg Moore at Penske that year. I lived next to Troy Lee Designs in those days and got to see the Penske helmet Greg never got to wear. Really miss that kid.

[@andrewwinslow9315]

All I Know now is that Greg Moore Greeted Gil de Ferran at the eternal Racing Circuit in the Sky and said "Hurry Up Teammate, we gotta race to run" We miss you Gil and Greg

[@michaelbragg6903]

Team Penske would have been the only team to set a world record. Beautiful car and a great sound from the Honda engine.

[@lukmanfirdaus8497]

Michael Bragg is Honda can make engine at F1 like this?

[@vultschlange]

​@@lukmanfirdaus8497Sekarang bisa.

[@victoruribe2465]

2003 Indianapolis 500 Winner, 2000 & 2001 CART Champion, and 241 MPH Close Course World Record Holder at Fontana. RIP GDF.

[@makavali1983]

2024 I'm still missing these times of screaming legends 1:39-1:42😍😍

[@geds7]

please bring back these cars

[@ricardodepaiva6195]

Alborghetti

[@geds7]

@@ricardodepaiva6195 A lenda

[@SuperGarciagarcia]

how beautiful this penske marlboro was, setting for super speeds.

[@racer11483]

241Plus, and that's WITH the Handford Device! I'm guessing close to 250mph without it.

[@cbr3220]

Fly high, Gil.

[@greezyweezy5836]

RIP GIL DE FERRAN, fastest man in open wheel racing.

[@najera_balmori_28]

Descansa en paz Gil de Ferran

[@packisbetter90]

Fuck I wish CART was still around like it was from late 90s to 2001

[@speedf1league]

These guys had balls of steel...

[@davidvenesky9053]

241.428 mph. That's not messing around. No room for error. This is scary.

[@TyShots]

May he rest easy knowing this record may never be beaten. Rest in peace Gil

[@RockyGordon]

Just found out that Gil de Ferran passed away. deeply sorry to hear this. may he RIP

[@AdrianCasillas1109]

THESE we're the days! never again will we see this :/

[@SN-nh6pq]

Never forget a sports writer for NASCAR said "how utterly ridiculous a irl "indycar" looks, sounds & drives compared to these amazing machines run by CART. Tony George I believe you really have given open wheel racing a severe death penalty, & it will be far worse than what the NCAA ever did to the SMU Mustangs." And Ed Hutton was 110% spot on because we are now in 2018 & the wounds are still evident!!!

[@robminmonaca]

Joe Joe what would the little guys have done to make Indycar better as Tony George used to justify his IRL and the 25/8 rule in 1996. However CART some bad decisions as well with the US 500. However CART had the better cars and equipment.

[@jamesfrank3213]

CART looked the most gorgeous back then...

[@hdz33]

Awesome! Man how I miss those days of cart, some of the best events I've ever attended :)

[@dre359]

Rest in Peace Gil de Ferran! 🇧🇷🕊️

[@SlamDuncDrummer]

Awesome combo - Reynard, Firestone and the sweet sound of that 1000hp turbo Honda engine.

[@facundomartinez188]

Thats a proper racing car. That was real racing

[@The_Lincoln_Penny]

RACE IN PEACE GIL!!!!!!

[@marktucker208]

I wish motorsport still pushed the limits like this. Despite improved technology, safety, we seem to be going slower and slower in EVERY series.

[@DCTib]

Well said. As a result the drivers are seemingly weaker and less heroic...particularly in NASCAR. No one wants to see anyone die but the pursuit of no risk has made racing less exciting and less interesting. With SAFR barriers, Hans devices, and halos/windscreens these cars and tracks are safer than ever and yet the cars are still slower. They should've broken the 250 mph barrier by now.

[@BrianHoff04]

You ever race someone in a go kart? If you did, and you were serious, then 40mph felt more than fast enough, you had to work at it, you had fun, and it felt great if you won & stunk if you did not. Today's safety features are great... but you can still die at even these "slower" speeds. Insurance companies do not want death on the TV screen or the track. No one really wants that. Even hardcore fans are as forgiving when a driver truly passes away. The sport suffers when death or serious injuries take place. I'm OK with slower. I respect what Gil and the team accomplished in this video. But.. 20+ years later I have no need to see that record broken. That was then.. this is now. Faster is not really better racing. It's probably just faster without being better.

[@SouzaFabuloso]

Deu um gás a mais na briga pelo título. Gil de Ferran chegou à última etapa com 153 pontos, apenas 5 a mais que o vice-líder do campeonato, o mexicano Adrian Fernández. Na classificação, ele fez isso aí que está no vídeo, conquistou a pole-position e somou um ponto (154 contra 148 do mexicano, que largou somente da 14ª posição). Fez uma corrida de estratégia e resistência e cruzou a linha de chegada em 3º e conquistando o título (somou 14 pontos e ficou com 168); Fernández foi o 5º (somou 10 e ficou com 158).

[@D2Kprime]

Those RPMs are jacked about as high is it can get!

[@regiflorida]

a sinfonia que era esse motor de classificação Honda era incrível......extremamente potente

[@carlosb1]

I miss OLD CART!!!!! great mornings that i watched this, Fernandez, De Feran, Zanadri HElio ANdre all those fucking guys!!!

[@mikea3273]

Hot lap. Props to the Penske racetrack group for paving the backstretch immediately after we all lost Greg.

[@gamblour]

Roger Penske just bought IMS and the IndyCar series. Maybe we'll start seeing beauties like these again soon!

[@rezac0806]

Goddamn, that’s beautiful noise. Pure, dirty, grease, amazing speed.