STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The inaugural Big Wood Derby will be among the highlights of the Sun Valley Tour de Force this weekend in Sun Valley.

Idaho BaseCamp’s inaugural Pinewood Derby will take place at 6 p.m. tonight—Friday, July 26--at Ketchum Town Square.

Contestants will point their cars down a ramp, vying for such prizes as a high-speed ride in a sponsor car, a week at Mountain Adventure Tours and VIP tickets to the Cars and Comedy.

The second annual Sun Valley Tour de Force will kick off at the same time with its classic and sports car show from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ketchum’s Town Square.

Among the cars on display—a custom built Porsche 993 offered by first-time sponsor Gunther Werks of California. Their retro designs are considered some of the most versatile luxury sports cars ever built, known for combining cutting edge technology and attention to detail. The company is producing only 25.

Drivers will drive from the Wood River Community YMCA at Warm Springs and Saddle roads over Saddle Road enroute to the car show. The car show is free for viewers.

 Those who want a head start can check out Peterson BMW’s Ride & Drive program from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday at the Catholic church parking lot on Sun Valley Road.

“The Tour de Force embodies the soul and heritage of the BMW brand while celebrating the beauty of Idaho, in which Peterson has been deeply rooted since 1923,” said Peterson BMW General Manager Mike Weires.

On Saturday drivers from all over the country will put their hypercars and supercars to the test on a closed stretch of Highway 75, known as Phantom hill.

Last year’s fastest recorded speed was 246.4 miles per hour, achieved in a Bugatti Veyron.

This year the high-speed runs in the vicinity of Cathedral Pines sold out more than two weeks before the event, with a record number of runs booked. Spectators can expect more than 70.

Tickets to the first-year Cars & Comedy presented by Lamborghini San Francisco also sold out.

Some pit passes are still available for Saturday’s event at www.sunvalleytourdeforce.com. Tickets include transportation from the YMCA in Ketchum, lunch and refreshments. All passholders will be entered into a drawing for a chance to ride with one of the drivers. They may also chat with drivers at the drivers’ pits at the start.

Sun Valley Tour de Force is produced by intrepid Events, Inc., which was formed with the idea of creating events for the community that give back to various causes.

This year’s Tour de Force will benefit Idaho Basecamp, which offers environmental education to fifth-graders at its camp on Trail Creek Summit.