Motoring editor Peter Carroll is shown how to ‘drift’ a car by pro drivers at Westfield’s stand at the British International Motor Show. Read his report below!

It’s the opening morning of the British International Motor Show and mechanics are about to change the tyres on a Westfield Sport 2000 – for the fifth time.

Black Country-based Westfield is determined to show off the capabilities of its hardcore open-top sports cars – even if it means shredding their tyres and cooking their brakes.

The cars were bearing up well on the first day – but if they last until the Motor Show finishes on August 3 I will be amazed.

Westfield, whose factory is in Kingswinford, may be one of the smallest firms exhibiting at London’s ExCeL this year – but it has put together one of the more exhilarating attractions.

While other firms have lavished thousands of pounds on race simulators for their stands, Westfield is offering show goers the real thing.

The Westfield Active Drift Experience offers visitors the chance of a high octane ride with a professional driver.

The aim is to demonstrate the excitement of ‘drifting’ – where cars are smoked sideways through a series of bends.

None of the drivers were holding back yesterday and support crew members were already doubting that their stock of 400 tyres would last them through to the end of the show.

The scorching weather was not helping to preserve the tyres.

Driver Jamie Wall admitted: “This is going to be tough on the cars – and on the drivers too.”

Jamie, who lives in Worcestershire, took me for a spin in a Sport 2000. I was strapped into the harness, given a pair of sunglasses to protect against stone chips, and then we screeched off.

The rides are quite short but Westfield has an ace up its sleeve in that it films passengers in the cars, then gives them a video clip of their experience.

Managing director Julian Turner explained the idea of the Active Drift Experience was to demonstrate the capabilities of the car rather than mount a static display. “The reaction we have had so far has been very positive.”

Turner is no doubt banking on turning a few showgoers into customers once they have sampled drifting in a Westfield. But 400 tyres is never going to be enough. . .

l Westfield Sportscars are in the main hall at ExCeL and the Active Drift Experience is outside the hall next to the music festival arena. The cost for a ride and a video clip is £10.