A cool morning breeze, windows down, a coffee run and the almost rhythmic hum of hundreds of idling engines—for many in the car community, that is the perfect morning. Set to return for its second show at Brighton High School on May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Brighton Automotive Technology Car Show Fundraiser has quickly established a presence for itself in the Brighton community. While its debut year saw an impressive turnout of more than 175 vehicle entrants, the event’s purpose wasn’t just about walking around and talking gears.
The show is a living memorial for one of BHS’s very own—Mitch Wright. Wright passed away in a fatal motorcycle accident the night before he was set to graduate from BHS in 2024. The loss rippled through the school, affecting those who worked alongside him and even those who only knew him by reputation.
Senior Darin Monroe remembers him as a fixture in the lab.
“I knew him a little bit—we weren’t super close, but he was always super friendly,” Monroe said.
That sentiment is shared by underclassmen like junior Jackson Smith, who noted that while he didn’t know Wright personally, he “had a lot of friends who had him in Auto and were heavily impacted by him in a lot of good ways.”
The roar of the engines during the show directly fuels many students’ interest in motor vehicles. Proceeds from the event provide the Motorsports Club with the essential tools and high-performance parts students use daily, ensuring the lab is well-maintained and up to date. On top of that, the funds secure the Mitch Wright Scholarship, which provides a vital head start for seniors entering the automotive trades.
Monroe, who attended the inaugural event last year, noted that it serves as both a practical fundraiser and a necessary moment of reflection for the school.
“It was more or less a fundraiser for the Camaro drag car and a memorial for Mitch Wright,” Monroe said. “It was certainly helpful, probably for a lot of people, just to get together and talk about him and just have a little ceremony.”
By investing in these future mechanics, the show ensures that Wright’s relentless passion for automotive technology lives on in every student who picks up a wrench at BHS.
The diversity on the pavement is a testament to the show’s reach. It isn’t just a “tuner” meet or a classic car show; it’s a bridge between generations. Sophomore Brynn Morris plans to attend with her grandfather’s collection, bringing a timeline of Corvettes that ranges from a 1990s classic to a brand-new 2025 model.
The event has also begun to attract high-end enthusiasts and serious performance power. Sophomore Brooklynn McCarty said that she expects to see a massive turnout this year, and she and her dad plan on bringing a Porsche GT4RS and a BMW M3 to the lot.
“I think it’s a great way to honor him,” McCarty said, noting that even those not in the Automotive Technology program find a reason to show up.
The event has just as significant of an impact on those who don’t even own a car. Senior James Mitte attended last year just to walk around and soak in the atmosphere. He walked away with a new perspective after a car owner invited him to sit in a 2017 Corvette Z51 Coupe nicknamed “Redline.”
“It definitely exceeded my expectations,” Mitte said.
While the cars are the stars, the event’s success rests on the shoulders of the student leaders. This isn’t a faculty-run “field trip”; it’s a logistical operation managed by the students themselves. Junior Jackson Smith spent last year working the front gate and managing parking, a job that became much bigger than expected when all of the cars started pouring in.
“There were a lot of entries last year. This year, I want to try to get a lot more people that I know to help volunteer, because I think there were a few moments where we could have used a lot more help,” Smith said.
Smith emphasized that volunteers don’t need to know how to change a tire to help out. The show needs organizers, greeters and promoters. By involving members of the student body, the message of the Mitch Wright memorial spreads further, turning a car show into a school-wide remembrance effort.
As the Brighton Automotive Technology Car Show Fundraiser moves into its second year, the momentum is only building. With over 175 cars already in the rearview mirror, the program is bracing for an even larger show out this time around.
The growth of the event serves as a reminder that while the tragedy of the night before graduation can never be undone, the community has chosen to respond with something productive, loud and lasting. As Monroe noted, the show is a rare chance for everyone to “get together and talk… and just have a little ceremony” for a friend, son and student gone too soon.
Whether it’s the future roar of the Camaro drag car on a track or the presentation of a scholarship to a deserving senior, one thing is clear—Wright’s influence is still accelerating and continues to drive students to do their best, even when he’s no longer here himself.
