BY KAREN BOSSICK

A Bugatti Chiron will be rolling into town, while what is possibly the most powerful BMW X6M in the world will test just how fast it can go on the highway north of Ketchum.

Get ready for the Sun Valley Tour de Force, which will take place Friday and Saturday, July 27-28, in Sun Valley.

The weekend will kick off on Friday with a car tour from Ketchum to Smiley Creek and back, followed by a free car show at Ketchum Town Square.

The Tour de Force will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, as drivers attempt to push 200 miles per hour and beyond on 3.2 miles of highway at Phantom Hill 14 miles north of Ketchum. And it will be followed by a Wrap Party featuring comedian Dwight Slade of Comedy Central.

What’s more, some lucky VIP pass holder will win a chance to ride with a driver as that driver pushes pedal to the metal in Saturday’s event.

Here’s what’s on tap:

FRIDAY

• The Huckleberry Drive to Smiley Creek will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. This is designed for high-speed car drivers and car aficionados to drive their special cars amidst the grandeur of the Boulder and Sawtooth mountains. Drivers will leave from the YMCA at 2:30 p.m.
• The free Sun Valley Tour de Force Car Show will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square.

  Cars will assemble at the YMCA between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and drive from there to the Ketchum Town Square where they will be on display.

  Cars on display include a 2017 X6M built by Restoration Rods in Boise, said co-organizer Whitney Slade. It’s been called the most powerful BMW X6M in the world. With more than 1,000 horsepower, the team expects to exceed 200 miles per hour at Phantom Hill.

  Other cars on tap include a Singer Vehicle Design original—a reimaged Porsche 911; The McLaren 720S, and a 2015 Jaguar F-Type R 550 horsepower with 505 foot pounds of torque and a five liter super charged V8.

  SATURDAY

• The transport leaves from YMCA at 7 a.m. with car drivers challenging themselves to see how fast their cars can go between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

A limited number of VIP passes are available for Saturday’s high-speed event, allowing fans to join the drivers at the start line. VIP pass holders will get transportation to and from the Wood River YMCA, a Sun Valley Tour de Force hat and T-shirt, and they will also enjoy refreshments and lunch at shaded tables.

Pass holders must be 18 years or older and pass holders over 21 will automatically be entered to win a passenger ride in the day’s event.

A Saturday VIP bundle includes the VIP high-speed event and the Wrap Party & Benefit, which features a hosted bar by American Harvest Vodka distilled in Idaho, Sawtooth Brewery brews and a summer-inspired menu. Comedian Dwight Slade from Comedy Central will headline the event.

Proceeds from the two-day event will go to IdahoBaseCamp, an environmental/outdoor education camp for youngsters near Mackay. The program will specifically benefit the camp’s fifth-grade program offered free of charge to students who may never have gone camping before.

“The fifth-grade program directly impacts some of the youngest and most vulnerable in our community. The skills they are learning will give them confidence to make smart, healthy and inspire decisions now and into the future,” said Maya Blix, co-producer of Sun Valley Tour de Force with Whitney Slade.

Drivers looking to sign up for the high-speed event, the Huckleberry Drive and the car show should visit www.sunvalleytourdeforce.com or email info@sunvalleytourdeforce.com.

Those wishing to purchase VIP Passes should visit www.sunvalleytourdeforce.com.