Isle of Man, the solitary island in the centre of the Irish Sea is home to the legendary but deadly annual Tourist Trophy (TT) motorsports haven. Just recently, a highly modified Subaru WRX STI has just become the fastest four-wheeled ‘participant’ in the 60.72km course.
The 600 hp Subaru WRX STI, piloted by multiple British rally champion and stunt driver, Mark Higgins, completed the course in 17 minutes 35.139 seconds, with an average speed of 206 km/h over a course of over 200 corners. The top speed Higgins recorded in the Subaru was 270 km/h.
This achievement eclipses the previous record set in 2014, where Higgins completed the same course in a lightly modified WRX STI in 19 minutes 15.88 seconds. In comparison, a race bike completes the course in 16 minutes 58.254 seconds.
It’s believed that the car was under full-throttle for 75 percent on each lap, hence the WRX needed extensive modifications from Prodrive. To begin, the 2.0-litre boxer engine utilises a larger turbo and paddle shift gearbox from a rally car, allowing the lump to extract 600 hp with 540 Nm of torque.
The suspension has been beefed up and there’s even a functional drag reduction system (DRS) borrowed from Prodrive’s GT racing exploits for optimum downforce. Tyres fitted are medium-compound Dunlop Sport Maxx, similarly used in British Touring Car Championship.
Just last week, he clocked the course in 17 minutes 49.75 seconds, and he has one more attempt left. Watch this space!
[Source: Autocar UK]
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