Subaru has announced the 2015 WRX STI has set a new lap record at the Isle of Man TT Road Course.

Driving a US spec 2015 Subaru WRX STI, British rally champion Mark Higgins managed to complete the 59.5 km TT Mountain course in a record-setting 19 minutes and 16 seconds while holding an average speed of 188kph.

He drove the car with the exception of the springs and dampers, which were adjusted to minimise any potential damage when the car encountered the course’s many bumps and jumps at high speed.

Moreover, the Subaru was fitted with the basic safety equipment, including a roll-cage, race harness and fire suppression system, and also featured also featured Dunlop Derezza tyres and a high decibel straight exhaust for crowd safety. The speed limiter was also removed from the car.

Mark explains that his new record can be taken down: “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.”

He also holds the previous fastest-lap record, which he set in a 2011 Subaru WRX STI at 19 minutes and 36 seconds.

“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,” he added. What makes this achievement remarkable is that the TT Mountain course is designed for motorbikes and has a reputation for being a bit of a suicide run as there’s no margin for error.

Read more about the 2014 Subaru WRX recently launched in SA here.

Subaru WRX STI Laps the Isle of Man