The 24-year-old electrician has committed to co-drive for another season with Newton Stewart's Mark McCulloch.

The pairing, having had significant success over the last two years, had decisions to make on the next step in their motor sport careers.

Craig explained: "We have had two fantastic seasons in 2008 and 2009 with the front wheel drive 205 then the Corsa.

"It was time to step up and see how we would perform at a higher level. We finally decided to stay with the Hankook Tyres Scottish Rally Championship as it is the best in the UK and the support for young competitors is excellent."

The new car is a GpN Subaru Impreza, four wheel drive with 270bhp. It's quite an old car but is well developed.

Craig explained: "We entered the Jack Frost Stages at Croft near Darlington to have an opportunity to test the car, find out how it performed, and for the service crew to find their way around it."

"The event itself was going very well and our times were excellent, especially as we had never even been in it until that morning"

The duo posted a number of top ten stage times during the day which is a remarkable achievement in the circumstances.

The expectation of a top 20 placing was being exceeded as they sat in 12th position overall at the end of the fifth stage. Looking forward it was important to recall this was an exercise in familiarisation and not a day to try for results so there was an element of excitement in the service area.

Stage 7, however, was to be their last of the day as a technical issue arose and a decision was taken not to risk damaging the engine.

Craig said: "It was a little disappointing as we were exceeding our own expectations. However, with a stage to go and having had to slow down on stage seven there was no point risking the car.

"It was a great day out in the new car and I am really looking forward to the Hankook Tyres Scottish Rally Championship getting underway."

The next event is the Arnold Clark Thistle Snowman Rally on Saturday, February 20, starting at the Thistle Hotel in Inverness at 9 am.