There will be no high octane action at the Keith Showgrounds later this month with the Keith Diesel and Dirt Derby another casualty of the coronavirus large crowd ban.
But event coordinator Glen Simpson says the committee is determined the event, which is already the town's biggest annual drawcard, will return "bigger and better" in 2021.
For the past eight years it has attracted about 10,000 people to the SE town with its program including jet boats, a modified tractor pull and Australia's only header demolition derby.
We are disappointed for the community groups but we also had the community to take into consideration, we didn't want to be the event that brought it (coronavirus) into town.
- Glen Simpson, Keith Diesel and Dirt Derby coordinator
Mr Simpson says the committee made the difficult decision as early as possible on Friday but he estimates it has lost $20,000 to $30,000 in non-refundable costs, including advertising.
It is a bigger blow to local businesses and community groups who use it as a fundraiser, with about $500,000 turnover coming from the event.
It is also an "anti-climax" for the volunteers who have put in 12 months of hard work.
"Everyone is walking around a bit lost but if we held it and no one turned up we could have lost a lot more money," he said.
"We are disappointed for the community groups but we also had the community to take into consideration, we didn't want to be the event that brought it (coronavirus) into town."
Mr Simpson said all pre-sold tickets would be refunded in coming weeks and the final round of the V8 Super Boat Series would instead be held at the Keith Show in October.
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