Originally intended for motorcycle races, the famed Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) course just got conquered by a 2015 Subaru WRX STI sedan-one that's available in local dealers of Subaru around New Orleans, Louisiana-and in a record-setting fashion.
After setting the new record himself just weeks prior to the event, driver Mark Higgins was determined to correct the mistakes he believed added a considerable amount to his final lap time. As Adam Burpee of AutoMedia.com reports:
"As a result of his determination, he [Mark Higgins] 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."
Looking closely at the numbers, Higgins' average speed is a considerable 2 mph ahead of McGuiness'. Moreover, the race course is no easy pickings even to the greatest racer on the planet.
Considered as one of the most dangerous race courses on earth, the 37-mile long Isle of Man TT circuit passes through mostly narrow streets and is riddled with a number of bends and hairpins, which makes navigating it at speeds over 100 mph extremely treacherous. Between 1907 and 2009 there have been around 240 casualties on the track, and with a lot more in its storied service on the way, the race course is still as challenging as ever.
So how was the car able to achieve such record speeds? This is where the car's capabilities and the driver's skills come into play. Driven by a professional like Higgins (3-time British rally champion), the 2015 WRX STI is as powerful as any stock car can be. Its 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine can go 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds, and up to 99.3 in under 14 seconds. To make it withstand the rigors of the track, Higgins' 2015 WRX STI was slightly modified with a FIA-spec roll-cage and special racing tires, among others.
With such a milestone attached to its name, the 2015 WRX STI can definitely cater to your need for speed without sacrificing style and safety. Available at New Orleans Subaru dealerships or those in nearby cities, such as Covington's Baldwin Subaru, the car is one good choice for true speed-seekers out there.
(Source: 2015 Subaru WRX STI Breaks Isle of Man TT Record, AutoMedia.com, June 20, 2014)
