Craig Drew's debut in the world of professional co-driving didn't get off to the best of starts in Michigan, USA, but he still managed to stamp some authority on the event.

Drew, alongside David Higgins in the two-car Subaru USA team for the 2011 Rally America Championship, travelled to Michigan for the opening round The Sno-Drift Rally.

The 130-mile event was a full snow rally and with only one pass of the stages made note making hard work, the pre-event test went well and the car felt good and they started the event full of confidence.

On the opening three stages the duo trailed Canadian Champion Antione L'Estage in the works Lancer Evo 10 by a few seconds.

The two crews had opened a huge gap over the trailing pack, but L'Estage's flat out approach came unstuck on Stage 4 when he crashed out.

For full story see Beacon 09/02/11.