Nick shows his true colours

DURING a time when overseas car manufactures want to invade Australia's coveted motorsports competition, it's refreshing to see one go the other way.

A month after Nissan announced it would be on the V8 Supercars grid in 2013, Forest Lake-raised drift driver Nick Coulson will get behind the wheel of a 2009 Holden Commodore V8 ute in the import-dominated Stadium Drift Australian Pro Series.

Having traded in his Skyline R32, Coulson, one of the youngest drivers to ever compete in the top series, has had his Commodore aptly wrapped with an Australian flag.

"We've definitely gone patriotic this year," Coulson, 18, said about the paint scheme.

"It will bring a new crowd to the drift scene and we'll hopefully see a lot more Commodore and Falcon fans watching the series."

Last year was Coulson's first trek into the ultra-competitive Pro Series after becoming the youngest winner of the level two series in 2010.

Competing against drift drivers with a lot more experience, the former Forest Lake College (now known as St John's Anglican College) student showed he was not out of his depth finishing fifth.

The 2012 Stadium Drift comprises eight events and kicks off at Queensland Raceway on Saturday.

Coulson, also known as the Drift Kid, had high hopes for this year's series.

But does he think the Commodore has what it takes to become a major force?

"This car is definitely up to scratch - it's up to pro car standard, so all it comes down to is driver ability," he said.

"I'm hoping to take the tour out and go on to achieve bigger and better things.

"I've had two practises and I felt straight away I could do it."