IT'S only six years since Craig Drew took up rallying, but the former lifeguard from Bream has secured himself a fantastic professional deal with Subaru USA.

Craig, 27, will co-drive for David Higgins on the 2011 Rally America National Championship, a stepping stone to the World Championship.

Higgins, who has been American champion twice, will form a two car team run by Vermont Sports Cars with BMX legend David Mirra.

Craig told The Forester: "I've known for three weeks but I couldn't tell anyone until it was announced in the USA.

"It's all happened through David Higgins. Basically, Subaru chose him as their driver and he contacted me."

In an era where even many professional rally drivers rely on sponsorship for survival, Craig has earned himself a dream factory-backed deal with one of motorsport's giants.

He said: "My contract with Subaru starts on January 1, which means I won't be able to co-drive for anyone else.

"That means doing the Wyedean is out of the question.

"The money's very good but regardless of that, this was an offer I was not going to pass up."

Craig proved himself one of the top co-drivers in Britain by winning this year's National Asphalt Co-driver's Champion-ship. He has competed all over the world for various drivers, including China and the Middle East.

He said: "Rallying in America is growing massively. We'll be competing in a brand new 2011 Subaru with 400hp. David says it's as fast as anything he's ever driven."

Craig has come a long way from those early days – co-driving in a Peugeot for his brother and his dad.

Since then he has worked with the likes of Nik Elsmore, Damian Cole and Adam Gould.

He said "It's something I only dreamt about when I started out. I'm really excited about sitting next to David and working with both Subaru USA and Vermont Sports Cars. Their records speaks for themselves, they are very professional."

The American Championship consists of six rounds, around one per month.

Craig says the highlight of the season will be competing in the X Games at the end of the series.

His debut is likely to be in a full snow rally in Michigan, where temperatures drop to –23C.

Craig will spend Christmas at home before flying out to America in January to meet his team and start testing. He added: "Most people don't get chances like this, to turn rallying from a hobby into a job. I can't wait to get started."