Who will be crowned the King of the Demo Derby at the 144th Millicent Show on Saturday afternoon?

After around 15 minutes of ‘crash and bash’, Demo Derby organiser Jim Garner will hand the coveted chequered flag to the victor and the gruelling endurance test will be over.

Ever since 1998, the Demo Derby has been a real crowd pleaser at the Millicent Show and the 2021 event promises to be no exception.

With the assistance of a double security fence and the Millicent CFS on standby, it will bring the crowds to the rim of the Gordon Memorial Oval.

The revving of the engines will start mid-afternoon after the last of the Grand Parade participants have exited the oval.

It is two years since Millicent has last hosted such a spectacle as the 2020 Show was cancelled on account of COVID concerns.

Mr Garner earned life membership of the Millicent Show Society after serving 11 years as its president.

His main interest nowadays is focussed on putting on the best Demo Derby possible.

The days of him getting behind the wheel are long behind him but other Garner family members will be burning up the track.

“Someone has to coordinate the Demo Derby,” Mr Garner said.

“I am older and wiser these days.”

He has secured entrants from as far away as Adelaide and Murray Bridge as well as sponsors who are meeting such costs as sashes and trophies.

Millicent cannot match the $10,000 purses on offer at other Demolition Derbies but Mr Garner said this weekend’s entrants drive for pride.

Saturday’s numbers will be capped at 25 with a number of teams of three already lodging their paperwork.

One team from the capital city goes by the novel name ‘Roadkill’.

Mr Garner points out the Demo Derby stereotypes with respect to age, sex and occupation do not necessarily apply at Millicent.

“Our past winners have included females, a 16-year-old and a police officer.”