Subaru has released full video proof of Mark Higgins’ epic lap of the Isle of Man TT Course in a heavily modified 2016 Subaru WRX STI Time Attack prepared by Prodrive. He completed the 37-mile course in only 17 minutes and 35 seconds with an average speed of 128.73 mph (207.17 kph), thus beating the previous record also set by Higgins with a lap time of 19 minutes and 26 seconds at an average velocity of 116.47 mph (187.44 kph).

If you’re wondering about the mods on the car, Prodrive fitted a 2.0-liter WRC engine delivering a massive 550 horsepower (410 kilowatts) and 405 pound-feet (548 newton-meters) of torque. All that output is channeled to the wheels wrapped in slick tires via a sequential rally-spec gearbox which has been optimized specifically for the Isle of Man run. To make the WRX STI as light as possible, Prodrive took out most of the interior bits, leaving only two seats, a digital dash, and a shift lever.

The Subaru WRX STI was also modified on the outside, with the most obvious change being the addition of an active rear wing. On the long straights, Mark Higgins pushed a button inside the cabin which made the wing stall to reduce rear downforce and consequently increase top speed.

They wanted to make the car as fast as a motorcycle around the course, but they’ll have to try even harder next year since Michael Dunlop in a BMW S 1000 RR set a new record this year by completing the lap in 16 minutes and 53.9 seconds at an average speed of 133.96 mph (215.59 kph). That being said, it doesn’t make Higgins’ run any less impressive.

Source: Subaru