RIP Gil de Ferran

[rabbit]

Just saw the news of Gil de Ferran's passing on Facebook. An absolute legend and one of the nicest drivers I've ever met.

[TRDfan]

So sad. Heart attack at the track, while doing some driving with his son. Only 56. Too damn young.

Super nice when I met him. Seemed like a true gentleman.

[SteveH]

One of the best.

RIP

[SteveH]

Can’t forget this, a record that probably will never be broken

https://x.com/nascarman_rr/status/1740904504487563447?s=61&t=oFXcsN2wTfApq6UdUB40Qg

[RTKar]

Only 56, super nice guy.

[nrc]

Wow, that's tragic. :( He always seemed like a first class guy on and off the track.

[Kiwifan]

Bugger. He seemed such a nice guy.

When we were over in Aus watching the cars race we always sat at the ANA corner and he ran a different line than anyone else. He always seemed to exit the corner faster than anyone else. RIP mate. :cry:

[pfc_m_drake]

He was my favorite driver.

I've met him many times, he WAS a first class guy. I have several of his hero cards that he signed for me over the years. I'm shocked...literally can't believe it.

RIP :(

[RTKar]

Years ago at Road America I took a photo of De Ferran running the yellow Pennzoil car in practice while I was standing way back amongst some trees. I think it was the downhill run into turn five. The shot came out fairly well, a yellow streak of an Indy car and the green of the trees appearing blurred in the print but the car and driver still recognizable as Gil. The following year I made a print and took it to Milwaukee hoping I could get De Ferran to sign it. I finally found him in a quiet moment and when he signed it, he paused for a while looking closely at the photo. He turned to me and asked, "How did you do that?" I answered," You drive too fast." He chuckled a bit and handed me the print. I actually had the impression he was going to ask me for a copy.

[TravelGal]

Years ago at Road America I took a photo of De Ferran running the yellow Pennzoil car in practice while I was standing way back amongst some trees. I think it was the downhill run into turn five. The shot came out fairly well, a yellow streak of an Indy car and the green of the trees appearing blurred in the print but the car and driver still recognizable as Gil. The following year I made a print and took it to Milwaukee hoping I could get De Ferran to sign it. I finally found him in a quiet moment and when he signed it, he paused for a while looking closely at the photo. He turned to me and asked, "How did you do that?" I answered," You drive too fast." He chuckled a bit and handed me the print. I actually had the impression he was going to ask me for a copy.

Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it. I read the news last night and was just so sad. Hard to comment on a loss so great. :(:cry:

[SteveH]

Gil de Ferran’s family praises the late racer for taking care of his son in dying moments
https://apnews.com/article/gil-de-ferran-heart-attack-972850c46a41567791fb7e056aeecf56

[Anteater]

Such sad news; I always thought that Gil was a class act, as well as being a great driver. 56 is too young! :( I will never forget the thrill of being trackside at Fontana when he set the closed-course speed record in qualifying.

On a lighter note, Gil apparently had a good sense of humor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaZoeEHHyx0

[SteveH]

I remember that commercial! Thanks!

[SteveH]

https://i.redd.it/tyod848cvnbc1.jpeg