► Lap record smashed by driver Mark Higgins
► 17min 35sec lap time with 128.73mph average
► Subaru USA working with Prodrive and STI
Driver Mark Higgins has claimed a new four-wheeled Isle of Man TT record, driving the modified Subaru WRX STI prepared by Subaru USA, Prodrive and Subaru Technica International.
The lap time of just 17min 35secs is almost two minutes quicker than his previous best. During the lap he also racked up an average speed of 128.73mph, 12mph higher than his previous best.
Wait… that’s very close to the bikes
Hard to comprehend, right? The record was in part made possible thanks to the purpose-built 600bhp Subaru WRX STI used for the attempt. The WRX weighs in at just 1175kg, and has a top speed of 180mph.
Higgins certainly didn’t hold back when unleashing all of those horses either, clocking 168mph through the speed trap at Sulby. Despite this, he reckons he could go faster still if the weather was a few degrees cooler.
After his run, Higgins said: ‘With lower temperatures we would be making more horsepower, so I still believe we have more left in terms of speed, but it is great to have another record in the bank.
‘The chassis on this new car is fantastic to drive. It makes a difference driving a car custom-designed for this course. It really allowed me to pick up time in each sector in the more technical parts of the course.’
By the sounds of it, expect Higgins to be back tearing up the roads of the TT course soon.
Read our Subaru WRX STI long-term test here