Forget about Cool Runnings; we have a new champion in the realm of improbable bobsledding. After achieving the four-wheel record at the Isle of Man TT course in 2014 and 2016, Mark Higgins and Subaru decided to embark on an unprecedented adventure: driving a heavily modified version of their record-setting car down an Olympic bobsled track in Switzerland. A recent video shows just how risky and thrilling this endeavor truly was, despite the involvement of a manufacturer.
The team at ProDrive, well-acquainted with Subaru’s bold ventures, had only a matter of weeks to make extensive modifications to the existing TT record vehicle. This urgency was due to the St. Moritz-Celerina Olympic Bobrun being the only bobsled track globally that utilizes natural refrigeration, which meant everything needed to be assembled quickly. The modifications included stiffer shocks, larger bumpers, a new safety cage and net, additional bracing, and tungsten-studded tires that are now banned from the WRC because of their anti-puncture capabilities.
The Track
, That’s a lot of twisties., St. Moritz-Celerina Olympic Bobrun
The bobsled track, which was used in the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics, continues to host various smaller events. Starting at an elevation of 6,076 feet, the mile-long course drops 426 feet while winding and turning, featuring two U-shaped corners with vertical banks near the end. These factors led Higgins to assess the chances of success as “50/50.”
Higgins’ evaluation seems quite accurate. Watch the video to see the outcome:
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