Prodrive Is Planning To Decimate The Isle Of Man Lap Record With A Custom Subaru WRX STI

The Isle of Man TT is one of the most dangerous and gruelling races in existence. Held on the 37.75 mile Snaefell Mountain Course, the lap record stands at an incredible average speed of 132.701mph - set by TT legend John McGuinness in the 2015 Senior TT. Make a mistake on this ‘track’, and it’s a telegraph pole or the side of a house that riders will be faced with.

Over the years, sections of the circuit have been used for car hill climb events and the iconic Manx rally, but the entire 37.75 mile course has been primarily restricted to motorcycle racing. This has always left the question: how fast would a four-wheeled machine get around the circuit? Rallying legend Tony Pond was given access back in 1990 to do a lap in a lightly-modified Rover 827. He smashed the 100mph barrier, but was still some way off the fastest bikes of the day.

In recent years, Mark Higgins and Subaru have also been given special dispensation to attack the course during TT week. In 2014, the Manxman managed to set an astonishing lap speed of 117.510mph in a 2015 WRX STI. Aside from an FIA-spec roll-cage, racing seat, fire suppression system and modified springs and dampers the car was basically stock. An incredible time, and faster than the sidecar lap speed which currently stands at 116.785mph. But the two-wheeled machines still clearly rule.

So, for 2016, STI has partnered up with legendary race car engineering company Prodrive to take on the bikes. Specifications are strictly under wraps, but pictures show a custom tarmac-spec rally car on steroids. With no championship regulations to adhere to, we can expect this car to pack some serious firepower.

We’re also fascinated to find out the Subaru’s specific chassis specifications, because the car will have to cope with 190mph corners, 170mph jumps and 20mph hairpins.

We’ll have more details on the car soon and we look forward to covering the attempt every step of the way. More details will be released next week.