Mark Higgins Breaks Isle of Man Lap Record…Twice
Mark Higgins broke the Isle of Man lap record twice last week. What’d you do?
The 2015 Subaru WRX STI is so nice, it had to break the Isle of Man lap record twice. In the span of three days, Mark Higgins broke the speed record at the 37-mile Isle of Man TT Road Course with an average lap speed of 116.37 mph and a time of 19 minutes and 26 seconds, then turned right around and obliterated his previous record with a 19 minute and 15 second run at an average speed of 117.51 mph.
Related: Video Shows off 2015 WRX and WRX STI in Action
Both runs were completed in a U.S.-spec stock 2015 Subaru WRX STI whose only modifications were an additional FIA-spec roll-cage, racing seat,and harness; fire suppression system; modified springs and dampers; Dunlop Direzza tires; a high decibel straight exhaust; and the removal of the electronic speed limiter. So, ya know, there’s some more incentive if you were thinking about buying one for yourself.
“We knew there was more speed in the car after Wednesday’s run (the original course record-breaker) and we are very happy the organizers made this happen today,” said Dominick Infante, National Manager of Product Communications, Subaru of America, Inc. “Mark was really flying on today’s lap and could show what the new chassis can do on a circuit as demanding as the Isle of Man TT.”
Related: What Happens When Cosworth Gets Ahold of the Subaru BRZ?
Gallery: Higgins smashes Isle of Man lap record with 19.15 run
It bears mentioning, the previous record for speed was 115.26 mph, set in 2011 by…you guessed it…Mark Higgins in a…you guessed it again…WRX STI.
Subaru is promising a full video release in the days to come, so stay tuned to see for yourself what it’s like to be behind the wheel for what Higgins called “the most exhilarating and the most frightening thing I have ever done.”
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