Craig Drew brought his first year as a professional co-driver to a close with a fine second overall on the recent Tall Pines Rally in Canada.

Together with David Higgins, the newly-crowned American champions went to do the final round of the Canadian series for more development work, on the all-conquering Subaru USA Impreza ahead of the 2012 season.

Drew had extra reason to celebrate having just become a father for the first time a week before he left for Canada.

The Tall Pines had attracted a very strong entry and offered 165 gravel miles in just one day with over 75 in darkness, in 15 hours of rallying,with stages that emulated Finland with big jumps and huge crests and very fast, one stage had 15 jumps in it.

The duo got off to a solid start, swapping seconds with old rivals Antione L'Estage and Patrick Richard.

For full report see Beacon 7/12/11.