TEMPE, Arizona, USA -- David Higgins has signed an agreement with AV Sport that will see him competing in the US until 2005. Winner of the last four consecutive events in America, Higgins now leads the championship by 28 points and must be seen as the favorite to take the title.

AV Sport team boss Andy Brown is delighted to have Higgins as team leader. "David has proved himself to be the quickest British driver not competing in the WRC, and we are very fortunate to have him on our team."

"America is proving to be a highly competitive championship. AV Sport are doing a great job competing against full factory teams and I hope that we can gain manufacturer support for 2003," commented Higgins.