Reigning American champions David Higgins and Craig Drew sealed their second consecutive Rally America title with a fine second overall on the recent New England Rally.

They went into the event knowing that a top six finish was enough to clinch their second title.

Eleven stages lay between them and the crown, four stages on Friday night including two long stages, but running second on the road behind Antione L'Estage in his Evo 10, Higgins encountered horrendous problems with hanging dust, although rally organisers had given competitors a two-minute gap.

"It's the worst dust problem I have ever seen, it just hangs there. It's dangerous to push too hard, you can't see a thing," said Drew.

At the end of leg one L'Estage held a 36-second lead from Higgins.

Day two consisted of seven stages with the organisers wisely giving competitors a three-minute gap, the Team Subaru USA started reeling in L'Estage, although they were only driving at 8/10ths with one eye on the championship.

By the end of leg two Higgins had closed the gap to 16 seconds, but second overall was enough to clinch the crown.

"Absolutely delighted, we drove for the championship," said Drew.

"We can now go to the last round in September and have a straight fight with Ken Block, which will be great for the spectators."