Whitmer High car show adds Pinewood Derby

Whitmer students from left Austin Shaffer, 15, Paul Kasten, 15, John Wilkes, 14, and Steven Yates, 14, inspect their completed track for the Pinewood Derby.

The Whitmer High School Car Show on Saturday is to feature something new this year -- a Pinewood Derby.

The race of small homemade model cars down an inclined track is scheduled for noon at the high school and is open to everyone.

Registration for the derby and the car show are scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. The auto show is to be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration fee for each is $5.

Mark White, who teaches automotive technology, said proceeds from the auto show, including the derby, will go toward a $500 scholarship and prizes.

He said the construction lab at the school has been open evenings so students could build their pinewood racers.

"Not everyone has a band saw at home," he said. "This is our first year for a Pinewood Derby, and we think it will be popular."

This year is the fifth for the car show, which Mr. White estimated will attract about 300 vehicles, many of them owned by members of car clubs.

"It's a good-sized show," Mr. White said.

Registration forms at are available at whitmerautoshow.com.