The tiniest hands at the Home Depot in West Mifflin were the most productive Saturday.

The occasion was the home improvement store's first free Kids Workshop, where, this month, youngsters built miniature race cars. Then they raced the 6 1/2-inch orange, No. 20 Tony Stewart Monte Carlo race cars on a four-lane, 32-foot track to compete for prizes.

The youngsters, who had kit directions to follow, were allowed to use store equipment such as hammers, nails and screwdrivers, and were assisted by their parents.

"These are our future builders," Lynn Mack said. Ms. Mack, of Pleasant Hills, works in the paint department and is event organizer.

The day consisted of morning and afternoon sessions, with each culminating in a series of races, the winners of which faced off in a final race to crown a first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finisher in each. All participants received water bottles filled with candy for their bicycles.

Among the 375 builders, age 3 to 12, was Rachel Battle, 11, of Jefferson Hills, who said she liked the challenge of a different project every month. She built her car in 15 minutes.

The young builders all wear orange Home Depot aprons.

"It's a family thing and a good way to get kids involved," said her father, Mike Battle.

Tom Dougher, of Lincoln Place, said his son, Matthew, 6, "likes to make things and get the pins for his apron."

The young builders receive pins for the projects they finish, such as last month's heart-shaped napkin holder for Valentine's Day.

For four Cub Scouts of Troop 244 in Greenfield, it was a chance to earn a black bead for building something, a required activity leading to a Tiger Cub badge.

The Howley sisters, of Pleasant Hills -- Megan, 5, and Matalyn, 3 -- were liberally helped by their mother, Lauran. The girls had to work on the floor because they were not tall enough to reach the work table.

Scott Joll, 4, of Monongahela, came because he heard the model cars in the project resembled the General Lee on "The Dukes of Hazzard," a favorite television show.

And his sister, Ashley Joll, 2, was thrilled to be doing anything her older brother did.

Even the employees were in on the fun, Carpet specialist Gary Tinstman, of Pleasant Hills, and the hardware department's Cory Wesolowski, of Glassport, served as car mechanics.

"I'm getting paid to play," said Mr. Tinstman, who has been with Home Depot for a decade. "Usually, I work so hard."

The grand prize winners in the afternoon session were Megan Howley, fourth place; Woody Main IV, 6, of Elizabeth Township, third place; Ryan Papariello, 12, of Whitehall, second place; and Jesse Wyrostek, 7, of Baldwin, a veteran builder with 30 pins, first place.

While Megan received chocolate candy and a hologram of a Tony Stewart race car, the others received all that plus trophies donated by Image Specialties of West Mifflin.

Woody, who said he was proudest that he "did it by myself," will give his hologram to his father, Woody Main III, a big Nascar fan.

First Published: March 9, 2006, 5:00 a.m.