Secrets of Subaru's IoM TT record car
Mark Higgins has smashed the car lap record around the TT; PH goes behind the scenes to find out how
Despite still being cagey on a full specification, those numbers that we do have are extremely exciting. Using a development of the 2.0-litre boxer turbo previously seen in the WRC cars, power is said to be around 600hp. Six hundred. Principally this comes about through revving the engine higher - a WRC car is typically limited to 6,500, this one goes to about 8,500 - but also by fitting a larger turbo and removing the rally restrictor. Weight is "11 something" according to David Lapworth, responsible for every Subaru WRC car and a key figure in this project. Those numbers give it comparable performance to a GT3 car. On the Isle of Man!
As the pictures should make clear, this car is a far more specialist build than the production-derived previous attempts. It's a bespoke build using Prodrive's nous with making swift Subarus and Subaru America's desire to promote the model with this, er, unique publicity stunt. Where they will go from here is anybody's guess...
Underneath this STI is a lot of old WRC stuff; not only does this cut down on costs and development time, but it's also extremely useful for the challenge this car will face. While the Isle of Man has similarities with other tarmac rallies, it's of course much faster than any WRC event. A car going for the record must be fast but also capable of dealing with bumps at high speed plus the odd low speed sections of the TT course as well.
To that end, the car is low but not to the levels of a circuit car - notice the gap between wheelarch and tyre as well as the fresh air between front splitter and tarmac. There is said to be tangible downforce but, with outright speed such a priority, this couldn't be at the expense of aero drag. So the underfloor isn't flat but the big spoiler plonked on the back has a DRS system. Having originally tried a P1-style system - Prodrive helped McLaren develop that - the team used a simple device that uses Prodrive's experience with the Aston GT cars. It's manually deployable but will retract on its own if the speed drops, and aims to help the compromise between aero stability and minimising drag. It's also pneumatic and sounds like an air rife when it's deployed - very cool.
This STI uses Dunlop slicks from a BTCC car and the gearbox from a WRC Impreza, the latter able to change gears in eight milliseconds. Over the previous record holder, this car has a longer fourth, fifth and sixth gear and a theoretical top speed of approximately 180mph.
There was no chance of hitting that around the Bicester Heritage test track, but there is enough space to confirm this is one seriously rapid Subaru. From both inside and out there are familiar (and fantastic) Subaru rallying noises but everything is happening faster. So much faster. The brakes are staggering too, but it's the way this STI handles that's most interesting. It looks like a circuit racer but pitches and moves like a rally car, a result of the softer set-up needed for the TT. At Bicester it's not especially happy, understeering at the slower corners that it simply isn't built for. But when it's out the other side... Wow. The aim for a 120mph average looks extremely pessimistic.
Higgins is aware of the understeer too, but understandably states that it's a worthwhile compromise for the high-speed stability. Inevitably that video comes up in discussion, which he is keen to avoid repeating. "I'm getting older; my hands won't catch up!" he says.
Now while a few commenters have already taken issue with Subaru attempting a record with no competition, the car itself is excellent. We've been clamouring to see a four-door Impreza (allow us one slip of the tongue...) on a rally stage again, and now we have it. Sort of. And with 600hp. The record attempts are due in the following days and we'll be flying out today to catch up with Higgins and the team and find out more. For his part Higgins has already Tweeted "Great first lap ... a bit more to come!" We look forward to seeing it for ourselves!
Here's hoping for some quality footage of the runs, so we can see what 180mph through the villages and town feels like :O
The suspension set ups usually end up throwing them in the greenery ,add that to zero talent and you know the rest .
Reducing the ride height can improve the some aspects of the car, but it will reduce others...
...having said that, there is a limit. Dropping a car as close to the ground as possible will not automatically make it better, especially in the case of a road car.
SS7
when a car has actually beaten the bike time, then its worth mentioning. this was a great attempt by a pro driver in a pro car to match the bikes. there are amateur bike racers going faster as we speak.
SS7
when a car has actually beaten the bike time, then its worth mentioning. this was a great attempt by a pro driver in a pro car to match the bikes. there are amateur bike racers going faster as we speak.
when a car has actually beaten the bike time, then its worth mentioning. this was a great attempt by a pro driver in a pro car to match the bikes. there are amateur bike racers going faster as we speak.
Both impressive feats but comments like yours SS7 make you look daft.
Its just interesting to see progress, doesnt matter either way and doesnt make one better than the other.
Would be interesting the see it developed further though, the bikes get faster each year, so no reason the cars cant, not bad going considering how little time they get to develop it.
I wonder what other car could be a starting point to go even faster ?
SS7
when a car has actually beaten the bike time, then its worth mentioning. this was a great attempt by a pro driver in a pro car to match the bikes. there are amateur bike racers going faster as we speak.
126.9 would put him 8th in the Superbike TT.
126.9 would put him 8th in the Superbike TT.
Genuine questions btw, I have no idea how much punishment the slicks he used could sustain and what range his fuel tank would provide.
SS7
126.9 would put him 8th in the Superbike TT.
Genuine questions btw, I have no idea how much punishment the slicks he used could sustain and what range his fuel tank would provide.
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