Celebrating the return of the WRX to the UK with an all-new model, Subaru is going to have another crack at breaking the lap record for the fearsome Isle of Man TT course. The current record for a four-wheeled vehicle is 19 minutes and 56.7 seconds, set by Mark Higgins in a previous generation WRX STI.

Later this month Higgins will try to beat his own record in the 2015 Subaru WRX STI. And boy does he have the right car for the job. It is a standard U.S.-spec production car equipped with 300 PS2.5-litre Boxer engine and unmodified brake calipers and road-legal tires.

They have, however, fiddled with the suspension a bit to cope with the surface of the road. That is fair enough, especially as there will be a couple of serious jumps on the way. Other mods, including a roll-cage, race harness and fire suppression system, were mandatory safety features.

Thanks to the new electronic system, Active Torque Vectoring, and the reliable Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, Higgins stands a good chance of improving his time. And he probably won’t have another “moment” like what he experienced last time he tried this:

Higgins commented: “Setting the record was totally exhilarating and one of the highlights of my career – Bray Hill certainly added to the thrill! As a Manxman, I love the TT Races and I have a huge amount of respect for the TT riders and what they do. It will be a real honour to attempt a new fastest car lap.”