VIDEO: Nürburgring Road-Legal Subaru Lap Record

A 400bhp, tuned but road-legal Subaru Impreza built by Revolution Motorsport in the UK has set a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, of 7m53.08s, on off-the-shelf Yokohama ADVAN rubber – beating Tommi Makinen's previous road-legal Subaru lap of 7:55, set in April 2010 (although it must be said that record in worse weather has stood for two years and was set in a bog-stock, 300bhp WRX STi Sedan, on much less sticky rubber, with 100+bhp less and standard brakes/suspension/aero (see that classic rally slag Green Hell lap here). Revolution's PR men say: "The concept behind the car was to set the fastest lap for a road-legal Subaru Impreza. While the car was highly modified, it was driven directly to the circuit, completed its record lap and was then driven back to the UK, all on the same tyres, fuel and brake pads. A handful of tools and spares travelled in the car but it was a genuine road-going car." The aero-kitted Subaru was modified with the 255/40x17 ADVAN A048R tyres, suspension, wheel and brake tuning and a stronger engine with Cosworth internal components, a Turbo Technics modified turbocharger and fuel additives. It knocked out 420bhp for the lap, despite being tuned to achieve 500bhp. The driver for this lap was Fredy Lienhard, proprietor of Nordschleife specialists Rent4Ring, with an estimated 20,000Km of experience under his belt. He set the new record on his first attempt in the car – despite the car's wanton desire to understeer. How he got it turned in on some bends is beyond me! Check out the full video with telemetry above. Revolution Motorsport's Glenn Campbell said: "We are very happy with the new record. We built the car to celebrate our 15th anniversary and did that in style. We have a very long-standing relationship with Yokohama and always use their products on extreme projects such as this one. We built the car from scratch specifically for this project and I am delighted that we were successful." Managing Director of Yokohama HPT Ltd, David Seward, said: "I would like to offer our congratulations to Glenn and the rest of the Revolution team for an amazing achievement. We have worked with Revolution for many years and in that time, have come to understand that when they say they are going to do something, they do it and I am delighted that Yokohama was able to be part of their success." Fair play to Revolution, who are a great bunch of car (especially Subaru!) enthusiasts and run a good company. And good driving Fredy! Anyone out there with a road-legal Subaru think they can better it?

NEWS: One-make Atom Cup UK is Go!

Ariel Motor Company has announced exciting plans for its one-make Atom Cup UK race series in 2013 – featuring a 245bhp, 510Kg, 'Cup' spec Atom, with a roll cage, two-litre i-VTEC engine with six-speed gearbox, Alcon brakes (adjustable bias), Yokohama A048 tyres, Ohlins adjustable suspension, Race Technology dash and safety gear. The new series – which will bring first rate hospitality with professional levels of catering and entertainment, be highly social and make it the sort of place you can bring your family too happily – will run alongside other motorsport, as part of the MSVR package run by Motorsportvision. It will take place at eight premier UK tracks: Brands Indy & GP, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Donington Park and Silverstone GP and National. There will be three packages available – Bronze (car, entry fees & hospitality) at £53,195 + VAT, Silver (as Bronze, plus tyres & fuel and track assist) at £59,995 + VAT and Gold (as silver, plus transportation and storage), at £69,652 + VAT. The new Cup Atom will be capable of 145mph, thanks to its 480bhp per ton power to weight figure, and the racing should be dead close. But there's enough adjustability left in the car to make set-up all important, as well as driver skill. It looks bloody ace! Like everything Ariel do. Bravo to them for pulling it off. Can't wait to report on the first race next year. Find out more on Facebook: www.facebook.com/atomcupuk and @atomcup on Twitter.