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AFTER 10 years, the Keith Diesel and Dirt Derby committee have called time on the annual event which provided much-needed funding for the local hospital.
Event coordinator Glen Simpson said the committee simply "ran out of puff" to keep the event running for another year and March 25, will mark as the final derby.
"We want to go out on a high and not run it into the ground for the sake of it," he said.
"It is disappointing but its ran its course - I am puffed."
Its humble beginnings stemmed from an attempt to revitalise the Keith Show and a heap of locals transforming backyard lawnmowers to powerful machines, including some with a V8 engine, for the modified lawnmower pull event.
A lot of work went into these machines and it was shame to only get them out of the shed once a year, according to Mr Simpson, so the Keith Diesel and Dirt Derby was born.
"It started with a barbeque and a band, with a gold coin donation for the Keith hospital and it just got momentum and grew from there," he said.
"About five years ago, we added a header demolition derby to the program and it was a big hit.
"But some of the older farmers are still not happy about seeing headers with a bit of life left in them being smashed up in a derby - sometimes they offered to trade in their older ones for the derby headers."
This year, about 30 headers will line up against each other, including Member for Barker, Tony Pasin and Member for Hammond, Adrian Pederick, who will go head to head.
Mr Simpson said it was important for the event to be remembered in a positive light and leave a legacy.
"It has been such a unique event and by including new events to keep people interested, it was able to last a decade. It's one of those events, you won't see it anywhere else."
The V8 Superboat competition has continued to be a drawcard for the event and Mr Simpson said it nearly didn't get across the line.
"Initially, the committee said it could not be done but I persisted. We got a water license because Keith had underground water, so we put in a bore and dug out a track.
"We have 40 boats from all over Australia compete."
Despite Mr Simpson's efforts to find a replacement for his role to potentially continue the event, no one wanted to take the lead.
"It is a big job but it put Keith on the map for all of the right reasons," he said.
"We had some tough times in Keith, particularly the hospital, and it also supported many community groups throughout the ten years."
Mr Simpson said post the derby, efforts would be poured into "ramping" up the Keith Show.
"Shows are the lifeblood of a town. We are going to redirect our focus into making it bigger and better."
Mr Simpson hoped the event inspired young people in the community to join local committees and make a difference.
"Its amazing what can happen when a group of people get together," he said.
The derby gates open on March 25 at 7.30am, with a band playing until midnight.
RELATED: Keith Diesel and Dirt Derby fires up
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Vanessa Binks
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
I am the Markets Editor and journalist at the Stock Journal. I am based at Nuriootpa in SA's lower north.
