Honda Racing Unveils Gil de Ferran 241.428 MPH Record Docuseries

Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) has launched a new four-episode docuseries titled "241.428," commemorating the life and achievements of the late racing champion Gil de Ferran. The series highlights de Ferran's all-time closed-course lap record of 241.428 mph, set in 2000 with a Honda-powered car, a speed that remains unsurpassed in circuit racing. The "Gil de Ferran docuseries" is now available on the HRC US YouTube channel.

The Unbroken Speed Record

The docuseries "241.428" centers on Gil de Ferran's historic qualifying run at California Speedway in Fontana during the 2000 CART IndyCar Series. Driving Team Penske's Reynard 2KI, powered by a 2.65-liter Honda HR-0 turbocharged V8 engine, de Ferran achieved an average speed of 241.428 mph. This record stands as the fastest closed-course lap across all forms of circuit racing, including Formula 1, IndyCar, and NASCAR, more than two decades later.

The series explores the circumstances surrounding this achievement, featuring insights from motorsports figures such as Roger Penske, Zak Brown, Rick Mears, Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, and Tony Kanaan. These individuals share personal recollections of de Ferran, who was a two-time CART Series champion and 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner.

Inside the Docuseries Episodes

The "241.428" docuseries, developed and directed by motorsports journalist Marshall Pruett, offers a detailed look into the record-setting event and de Ferran's legacy. Episode 1, "241.428, The Man," recounts the record run itself. Episode 2, "241.428, The Car," delves into the engineering of the Reynard chassis, with contributions from Team Penske and HRC.

Episode 3, "241.428, The Heart," provides a deep dive into the Honda CART turbo V8 engine, detailing its performance attributes. The final episode, "241.428, The Reunion," features McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown driving a sister car to de Ferran's record-setting vehicle at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. This car, de Ferran's 2001 championship-winning Reynard 01I-Honda, was recently restored with assistance from the HRC Heritage Racing Program.

HRC Heritage Racing Program's Role

The HRC Heritage Racing Program, which launched in August 2026, played a crucial role in the restoration of de Ferran's 2001 Reynard 01I-Honda. This program offers services including sales, comprehensive restoration, service, and trackside support for historic Honda and Acura race cars. The program's launch coincided with the Monterey Car Week, where it showcased several restored vehicles.

One notable restoration highlighted by the program is the 2010 Honda ARX-01c "Strakka Racing" Le Mans LMP2 class winner. This vehicle secured two trophies for its owner, Robert Neapole, at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, including a win in the Scott Pruett Legends event and a second-place finish at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The "Gil de Ferran docuseries" is a key initiative under this program.

The release of the "241.428" docuseries provides an opportunity for racing enthusiasts and Honda fans to revisit a significant moment in motorsports history and honor a legendary driver. It also underscores the capabilities of Honda's racing technology and the ongoing efforts of the HRC Heritage Racing Program to preserve and celebrate its racing heritage.