MANX rally driver Mark Higgins is set to make a demonstration lap around the 37-mile TT course this afternoon.
While officially just a demonstration, the closed-course lap is surely begging to be used to break the 21-year-old record for a four-wheeled lap time around the TT course. Back in 1990, rally driver Tony Pond managed an average of 102mph in a stock Rover 827 Vitesse.
Back then, that was just 16mph slower than Carl Fogarty's race-winning speed in the F1 TT, and given that the Rover was more a luxury saloon than a sports car, begged the question of just how fast a car could lap the circuit.
Putting the lap in further perspective, Gary Hocking lapped the TT course with an average speed of 103mph on an MV Agusta in the 1962 Senior TT.
Originally, Subaru USA works rally driver David Higgins was due to do the laps, but he was replaced by his brother Mark, himself a multiple rally champion, after a clash of rally dates. Subaru USA is one of this year's main TT sponsors, and on its own Twitter feed has suggested the Pond's record is there for the taking, saying “Are we 'Man' enough? Mark Higgins tries to best the 1991 (sic) lap time in our STI at the Isle of Man TT” (actually Pond's lap was in 1990 but presumably that's what they mean).
Further Subaru laps are also planned for Wednesday and Friday.
You can see footage of Pond's record lap here. The historic Rover Vitesse is now selling on your nearest auction site for £750. Bargain.
UPDATE: A red flag in this morning supersport race following a crash at Gorse Lea (no details as yet) means the rest of today's schedule – Subaru lap included – could yet be altered.
