Survive the first noisy, smoky corner then the thrill of drifting kicks in

This is not picking up the kids on the school run. This is high-octane, high-thrills action.

It is drifting indoors, under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium — with more smoke and noise than a Motorhead concert in the 1970s.

The stadium is said to be multi-use and this is certainly one of its more novel uses. It will host the first round of the D1NZ championship today and tomorrow and be assured, it is loud, fast and smoky action.

Cars — make that very loud cars — come into the stadium and in about 30 seconds tear round the track, getting  to speeds of more than 100kmh in one lap.

As one lucky enough to be invited to be a passenger it is a thrilling ride. Your whole life — not that there is much to look at — tears in front of you as driver Tom Marshall steers his Nissan Silvia S15 into the first corner, and starts "drifting". The bowels start moving but Marshall has is all under control.

Drifting is losing traction, spinning the wheels and creating plenty of smoke. It’s coming up through the car at one stage.

My stomach was left behind after that first corner but soon the thrill takes over. It’s kind of cool, no longer scary but exciting. Marshall, from Auckland, is very busy, changing gears and through it all looks totally in control. He leaves a bit of rubber on the track and before you think you could lose your lunch it is all over.

The track, built by Dunedin company M3 Concrete and Contracting Ltd, will get an almighty workout over the next couple of days. As will your ears, nose, throat . . .