WILL Gough is hoping racing fans will catch his drift as he hits the tracks in one of the newest and most exciting forms of motorsport in the country.

Twenty-six-year-old Gough, of Sneads Green, near Droitwich, is contesting the D1 GB National Championship, a series of events which is being supported by top car-care company Autoglym.

The championship takes place around the country, including such famous tracks as Silverstone and Rockingham.

The series brings the art of drifting to the country, in which competitors drive high-powered modified cars --usually based on Japanese saloons -- at safe but seemingly reckless speeds in a controlled drift around the circuits' corners.

Their performance is awarded a series of marks by judges who assess the speed, the angle of the car and the hold of the drift.

The sport, which sees the drivers hit the corners at up to 100mph, is popular on the continent and in the Far East and attracts thousands of enthusiastic spectators. It is expected to catch on in the UK in a big way.

Paul Caller, chief executive of Autoglym, said: "I have seen drifting first-hand and it is incredibly exciting and spectacular.

"The crowds love it and really get involved.

"The level of control of some of the top European and Japanese drivers is incredible, and I am delighted that we are supporting this new venture into motorsport."

Gough, who works for a tool hire company, will be driving a Nissan 200 SX in the championship.

The inaugural D1 GB series takes place throughout the summer and culminates in an end-of-season final at Rockingham Raceway in Northamptonshire on Sunday, September 17.