Demolition derby drivers are a special breed, so sayeth guru and Baypark Speedway promoter Bernie Gillon.

'They're somebody with a bit of cunning, bit of mongrel, and a whole lot of luck on their shoulder.”

Have you ever wanted to smash a journalist? Then join me on the track when the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby takes place on April 11. Photo: Tracy Hardy

Come April 11, this hack of a journalist will channel all his cunning and mongrelness for the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby.

As for luck: I'm sowing a plot of four-leaf clovers into my beard. Don't be surprised if there's a spate of horse shoe thefts in the area either.

Having never experienced the thrill of a demolition derby, Bernie tells me quite simply that I 'have not lived”.

'It's heaps of fun, you're chasing and being chased, and when you hit there's a huge feeling of elation.

'The whole time you've got to expect the unexpected, you're in God's hands in a nice way,” he says before adding an emphatic 'Woo hoo!”

I ask Bernie what his favourite demolition derby memory is and one instantly springs to mind – the night he tried to sink The Rena.

He explains ‘The Rena' was a wooden boat dragged around the track as part of a caravan derby held five months after the environmental disaster in 2011.

A caravan derby is exactly the same as your stock standard derby, except all the vehicles lug behind them caravans, boats, and even portaloos.

'It was going around the track and I thought ‘I've got to sink the Rena',” remembers Bernie. 'So I lined my car up for a big shot and then whack!”

'The back of the boat ended up coming through my front window, it almost got my knuckles on the steering wheel, but it just kept going, The Rena 2 was indestructible.

'It just could not be sunk and in fact, that boat possibly did another three derbies afterwards.”

The Rena and a portaloo duke it out during a caravan derby at Baypark in 2012. Photo: File

Bernie says for the upcoming April derby they'll be 'adding a little spice” to the event by installing a small ramp on the front and back straights.

It won't be very high, he assures me with a glint of mischief in his eye, but it will definitely but some excitement into each lap.

In between bursts of laughter he also has a warning for anyone who think they can be Switzerland and sneak around the track without entering the fracas.

'We'll have a couple of drivers in stock cars on the night who will be our ‘sheriffs'. So if anyone does try to be sneaky our sheriffs will deal to them.”

There's definitely a few rules involved, the most important being that all participants cannot intentionally drive into another driver's door.

Other important rules include all cars must be fitted with a driver protection bar and racing style seatbelts, plus there is a zero tolerance for alcohol and all drivers will be breath tested.

Because at the end of the day: safe destruction is fun destruction.

'We want to create an amazing event for people but it's all about keeping everyone safe while they enjoy themselves.”

Bernie adds: 'There will be a drivers' briefing beforehand and we'll cover everything before people head out on the track.”

Preparations are going swimmingly and more than 30 drivers signed up for the crash and smash event.

The goal is for 60 drivers, Bernie would love to see 100.

It's open to anyone with a current driver's licence and cars are available for drivers to hire, but you'll need get in quick to secure a vehicle.

Want another reason to enter? Well, the last driver standing will win $2,000, while he or she who wreaks the most havoc will slide a cool $1,000 into their pocket.

If that isn't enough – this will be your only legal opportunity you have to smash a journalist.

And judging by some of the comments on the SunLive Facebook page, there could be a small army of people wanting to take up the opportunity.

'Every time you're behind someone who's annoying you, store that in the memory, enter the derby and visualise them as you're about to take them out,” says a laughing Bernie.

The SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby takes place on April 11, from 5pm until 10pm.

Entry forms are available online at: www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz or from Flamecrusher in Gate Pa, ASB Baypark or at the merchandise hub in ASB Stadium.

For more information or to hire a car call Bernie Gillon on 07-571-0630