The recently measured energy-momentum spectral functions P ( k, E ) by the CLAS collaboration in triple-coincidence A ( e, e ′ Np ) measurements allow for improved studies of subthreshold particle production in proton heavy-ion collisions. The observed short range correlations (SRC) enhance the available center of mass energy of individual nucleon-nucleon collisions and allow therefore for sub-threshold particle production in proton-nucleus collisions. Calculations demonstrate that SRC enhance the probability for particle production at nominal sub-threshold energies up to a factor of × 10 3 as compared to a simple Fermi gas model. We benchmark the idea by calculating the Ξ − multiplicity in nominal sub-threshold p+Nb collisions using both a Fermi and a SRC nucleus, which both compare well with the data measured by the HADES collaboration. The calculations show, however, that deep below threshold a substantial increase of the Ξ − yield is expected. These findings are of prime relevance for upcoming experiments at the FAIR facility, especially for the study of charmed hadrons.