Subaru driver Mark Higgins set an all-time fastest lap of averaging 115.356 MPH today on the iconic Isle of Man TT Mountain Course driving a US specification 2011 Subaru WRX STI. The previous record of 100 MPH stood for 21 years. The lap took 19 minutes 37 seconds and the WRX STI hit speeds in excess of 162 MPH.
“This was the most thrilling and frightening thing I have ever done,” said Higgins, a Manx native. “It has been my dream to drive this course since I was a little boy and I am just elated that we were able to hit the speeds we did. The Subaru was just rock solid through the mountain section and took an amazing amount of punishment on the course.”
On his first practice run of the demanding Isle of Man TT Mountain Course circuit, Higgins averaged 113 MPH on the 37-mile course. “It was difficult because we really had no idea what speeds we would be able to do on the course as we were unable to run a full lap at speed,” Higgins said. “Today we were unsure if we would be able to run because of the weather. There was hail on part of the course this morning, and heavy rain, but we were able to get a run off and it was a great lap.”
The WRX STI was a production US spec car running a standard 305 HP turbocharged boxer engine. Some safety modifications were made. The Subaru was equipped with a Lifeline fire suppression system, Hockley Motorsports roll cage, motordrive competition seats, Mintex brake pads (but stock calipers and rotors), and an open exhaust to warn spectators of the on-coming car. The speed limiter was turned off to allow a higher maximum speed; springs and dampers were changed to accommodate the numerous high-speed jumps on the circuit, sending the WRX STI almost four feet off the ground. The car ran on street legal Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tires.
“We could not be more pleased with the result of this week’s drive,” said Dominick Infante, National Manager, Product Communications, Subaru of America, Inc. “The WRX STI performed incredibly well at near flat out speeds and Mark drove impeccably. His save at Bray Hill at 150 MPH was some of the best driving any of us have ever seen.”
The following video produced by Subaru includes Mark Higgins walking through the moment at Bray Hill, with multiple camera angles of the record run.
Subaru Breaks Production Car Record Lap at Isle of Man TT Circuit – Video
[Source: Subaru]
Very impressive for a street stock Subaru WRX STI. Not to take anything away from this record run, but it is hard underestand how that record stood for 21 years….hasn’t anyone made an attempt in all that time? As good as the Subaru is, there certainly have been cars capable of beating that record since 1990. Maybe there should be more focus on doing a hot lap around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course than around the Nurburgring. I have owned a number of Saabs and Surbarus over the years…they are both unique and excellent cars with good combination of speed and handling…you just can’t beat a good 4cyl/turbo motor!
As good as that reads, just think they have broken 131 mph on the bigger bikes at IoM. I was there for the centenary and it’s an unbielievable event and the island is beautiful in the summer time.
Where the Hell is the in car VIDEO …?
The video was initially not available when we published the article. We’ve now remedied the situation with Subaru’s video. Hope you enjoy!
The above text is a little misleading in that the first paragraph states “The previous record of 100 MPH stood for 21 years. The lap took 19 minutes 37 seconds and the WRX STI hit speeds in excess of 162 MPH.”
The previous average speed was just over 100 mph, but as far as I know the standard Rover Vitesse (no change to suspension as far as I’m aware) hit speeds of around 150mph. Well done to Mark Higgins though, and I agree with Saaber “…………hasn’t anyone made an attempt in all that time?”
Did the Subaru not run on tyres rather than tires though?