For Mark Higgins, it wasn't enough that he and the 2015 Subaru WRX STI just broke the Isle of Man TT Course record set in 2011. He knew he made crucial errors that added time to his lap, and he was determined to correct his mistakes.
As a result of his determination, he reran the lap later in the week and re-broke his just-set record with an average speed of 117.510 mph and a time of 19 minutes and 15 seconds. His previous record was set earlier in the week with an average of 116.470 mph and a time of 19 minutes and 26 seconds. Before that, the record was held by John McGuiness in 2011 behind the wheel of a WRX STI with an average speed of 115.36 mph.
Higgins manned what was essentially a stock 2015 Subaru WRX STI. In terms of power, it hosted the stock turbocharged 2.5-liter 4 cylinder engine that produces 305 horsepower. The stock model also includes features such as limited-slip differentials and a torque vectoring system to enhance its handling. To ensure that the car could handle such a brutal course safely, there had to be certain modifications, though. These included upgraded springs and dampers, a FIA-spec roll-cage, racing seat and harness, fire suppression system, high decibel straight exhaust(for crowd safety), and Dunlop Direzza tires. Lastly, for obvious reasons, the speed limiter was removed.
This lap race was a part of Subaru's marketing campaign for the 2015 Subaru WRX STI. The automaker wanted to prove that the 2015 model, with its new chassis, could hold its own on a grueling course, and it did just that. Regarding the STI, Higgins said, "I can't say enough about the new WRX STI and how much abuse it has taken as we have really ridden it hard over this course for three very fast runs and this is definitely not an easy course. The chassis on this new car is just night and day."
