A timed run on the Isle of Man TT Course had Mark Higgins driving a 2015 Subaru WRX STI and breaking his own lap record of the 37-mile course with an average lap speed of 117.510 and a time of 19 minutes and 15 seconds. This breaks the record he set just last Wednesday at 19:26 and 116.47 mph. Previously, the record had been set in a 2011 WRX STI at 115.36 mph.
The car was a nearly all-stock WRX STI as well, in U.S. specification. The exceptions of a FIA-spec roll-cage, racing seat and harness, fire suppression system and modified springs and dampers to handle the sustained high speeds and changing conditions of the course. The Subaru WRX STI also featured Dunlop Direzza tires and a high decibel straight exhaust for crowd safety. The speed limiter was also removed from the car.
“This was a great run when everything came together and I was able to do a much cleaner lap as I am still learning where I can go flat in this car,” said Mark Higgins. “I am really happy to beat the lap records set by John McGuiness in the Zero Bikes and the sidecar lap record as John was riding me about that! I can’t say enough about the new WRX STI and how much abuse it has taken as we have really ridden it hard over this course for three very fast runs and this is definitely not an easy course. The chassis on this new car is just night and day.”
Subaru is promising a full video release of the run soon.
