British rally driver Mark Higgins has set a new lap record on the 59.54-kilometre Isle of Man TT road course in a stock U.S.-spec 2015 WRX STI. Higgins beat his old record from 2010 with an average lap speed of 187.44 km/h and a time of 19.26 minutes.
“It was quite a lap we did today and I am really happy to have another record in the bank. The chassis on this new car is so much better it really allowed me to pick up time in each sector in the more technical parts of the course,” Higgins said. “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.”
The only modification made to the car were a FIA-spec roll-cage, racing seat and harness, fire suppression system and modified springs and dampers, he also put on a set of Dunlop Direzza tyres and a high decibel straight exhaust for crowd safety. The speed limiter was also removed from the car.
“There is nothing like the TT course in all of racing, it’s just an amazing circuit,” said Higgins. “Not just because of its length, but the elevation changes, constant surface variations as you shift from town to country roads and the fact that we run roughly 30 mph and then up to 160 plus for much of the race.”
Hopefully we will be able to bring you a video of the record next week. in the meantime enjoy his 2010 attempt where he had a “bit of a moment”
