Photo: Subaru
Earlier today, Subaru spread the word that its 2015 WRX STI set a new record around the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT), with the now usual Mark Higgins behind the wheel. They’ve now released the full details of the feat, but, more importantly, Mark says his new record can be beaten.
The Isle of Man TT became known for the absolutely insane motorcyclists tearing up the tarmac on its closed public roads, but back in 2011, Subaru set a new record for cars - the previous one had been set over two decades back, so four-wheeled creations weren’t exactly the house specialty.
Mark Higgins was behind the wheel and now he returned to the 37.8-mile course to see what the chassis of the new 2015 Subaru WRX STI can do for him. The result? A time of 19 minutes, 26 seconds and an average speed of 116.4 mph (187.4 km/h). We’ll remind you the old WRX STI allowed the driver to negotiate the over 200 corners in 19 minutes, 37 seconds, at an average speed of 113 mph (181.93 km/h).
We haven’t even gotten to the spicy part yet, as Mark explains his new record can be taken down: “I think there is definitely time that we left on the course. I lost time on the second part of the track, overshooting my braking point at Sign Post corner. I actually hand-braked the turn in the end, so I feel we can definitely do better.”
As with the 2011 record, Mark’s STI was stock, with the exception of the springs and dampers, which were “adjusted to minimise any potential damage when the car encountered the course’s many bumps and jumps at high speed.” Moreover, the Subaru was fitted with the basic safety hardware, including a roll-cage, race harness and fire suppression system. As for the rubber, the STI used Dunlop Derezza tires.
PS: In a fantasy world, somebody should take an Evo and trash Mark’s record before he does it himself, just to show Mitsubishi what they’re going to miss once they kill the Evo and replace it with some eco machine.
Mark Higgins was behind the wheel and now he returned to the 37.8-mile course to see what the chassis of the new 2015 Subaru WRX STI can do for him. The result? A time of 19 minutes, 26 seconds and an average speed of 116.4 mph (187.4 km/h). We’ll remind you the old WRX STI allowed the driver to negotiate the over 200 corners in 19 minutes, 37 seconds, at an average speed of 113 mph (181.93 km/h).
We haven’t even gotten to the spicy part yet, as Mark explains his new record can be taken down: “I think there is definitely time that we left on the course. I lost time on the second part of the track, overshooting my braking point at Sign Post corner. I actually hand-braked the turn in the end, so I feel we can definitely do better.”
As with the 2011 record, Mark’s STI was stock, with the exception of the springs and dampers, which were “adjusted to minimise any potential damage when the car encountered the course’s many bumps and jumps at high speed.” Moreover, the Subaru was fitted with the basic safety hardware, including a roll-cage, race harness and fire suppression system. As for the rubber, the STI used Dunlop Derezza tires.
PS: In a fantasy world, somebody should take an Evo and trash Mark’s record before he does it himself, just to show Mitsubishi what they’re going to miss once they kill the Evo and replace it with some eco machine.
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