The previous record, set by Mark in a 2014 WRX STI, stood at 19:15.
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Autocar has a video of the lap sourced from Subaru, who are working on a longer cut.
Higgins averaged a speed of 204.36km/h over the gruelling 60-kilometer time-trial, which also threw some unexpected challenges his way. In just two years Higgins beat his previous record by a minute and fifteen seconds. With a kerb weight said to be less than 1,200 kg, Prodrive claims this WRX STI has a power-to-weight ratio comparable to that of a GT3-class racing vehicle.
The STI Time Attack is said to deliver 600hp and 542 Nm of torque from a 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine and weighs in at under 1,200 kilograms.
“I think 125mph was the dream before the start”. Whereas in 2014, the WRX was wearing road-legal tyres, Subaru and Prodrive opted for BTCC Dunlop Sport Maxx slicks.
“The conditions were great – the only problem I had was in the last five or six miles when I couldn’t see for flies on the windscreen”, continued Higgins. Along with being stripped of unnecessary weight, a race-spec aerodynamics package and roll cage were also fitted. “That made things a bit hard in the last sector, but I can’t really complain because the bike riders have them on their visors all the time”.
The collaboration between Subaru and Prodrive has previously created hugely successful road and rally cars, leading to three World Rally Championship Manufacturer titles and three World Rally Championship driver titles.
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For the 2016 auto, Subaru of America made a decision to create a purpose- built vehicle that could tackle the arduous TT Course, which is similar in style to both the Nürburgring and Le Mans in the demands it puts on suspension and engines. On Saturday, Higgins brought out his all-new Isle of Man-built racer and set down a screaming high-17-minute lap.
