2015 Subaru WRX STI Sets A New Isle of Man Record

Back in 2011, Subaru took the current-generation WRX STI to the Isle of Man to break the record of the fastest lap set by a four-wheel vehicle. Driven by rally ace Mark Higgins, the WRX STI was able to set a time of 19 minutes and 56.7 seconds. Subaru went back this year to the Isle of Man with the brand new 2015 WRX STI to see if they could beat their own record. Once again, Mark Higgins was the pilot to tackle the 37.8 mile course in the STI. After completing the lap, the news came out; the record was broken by a large margin. With a time of 19 minutes and 26 seconds, the WRX STI was able to slice off 30 seconds from the previous record.

"It was quite a lap we did today and I am really happy to have another record in the bank.The chassis of the 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," said Higgins. "There is nothing like the TT course in all racing. Not just because of its length but the elevation changes, constant surface variations as you shift from town to country roads and the fact we run from 30mph and then up to 160mph plus for much of the race."

Higgins believes he could have gone faster in the WRX STI.

“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 WRX STI in question was a mostly-stock U.S. spec model. The only changes to it included a roll-cage, racing seat and harness, fire suppression system, and modified springs and dampers to handle the course.