Higgins breaks his own lap record
In a final timed run on the Isle of Man TT Course, Mark Higgins broke his own lap record for the fabled 59.2km course in the brand new Subaru WRX STI with an average lap speed of 188km/h and a time of 19 minutes and 15 seconds.
Subaru WRX STI at Isle of Man 2014. Picture: Supplied
In Higgins’ record lap earlier the same week, several errors caused him to lose time. This new lap record breaks the 186.35km/h average and time of 19:26 set on Wednesday, June 4. The previous record of 184.57km/h was set in 2011, also in a WRX STI.
Higgins drove a stock US-spec 2014 Subaru WRX STI, with the exception of an FIA-spec roll-cage, racing seat and harness, fire suppression system and modified springs and dampers to handle the high speeds and changing conditions of the course. The Subaru also featured Dunlop Direzza tires and a high decibel straight exhaust for crowd safety. The speed limiter was also removed from the car.
In his previous attempt on the course, Higgins created one of the most memorable race videos when he had a self-described “moment” at the bottom of Bray Hill at 240km/h. The video has received almost four million views.
“Setting the record was both the most exhilarating and the most frightening thing I have ever done,” said Higgins
