Street Smart: The Sam Contino Story

Sam Contino doesn't take no for an answer. As far as he is concerned, the impossible just takes a little longer. In his book of memories, Contino tells how to get the job done, no matter what "the job" might entail. From his early days growing up on the streets of Chicago in an Italian neighborhood, Sam Contino has always been an outside-the-box thinker. His beloved brother Raymond-who died during a training exercise prior to entering the war-has been a lifelong inspiration. Perseverance and hard work served Contino well through a stint in the Coast Guard and then in the Navy, where he worked in the motor pool. A creative and skilled mechanic, he taught specialized auto classes to the employees of General Motors, The U.S. Marine Corps, and Sun Electric. He also owned and operated his own auto shops in Chicago, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Eventually, he settled his wife, Ida, in the Ontario area of southern California where he opened another auto shop and his family expanded to include six children. When Chaffey College hired him in 1966, Contino transformed their Automotive Technology Department into one of the finest and best known in the country. Students from all sections of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Great Britain enrolled over the twenty years he taught at Chaffey. Contino gained national recognition for the college when the Auto Tech department conducted a 100,000-mile road test on a Pinto for Ford Motor Company and ran a set of steel-belted radials around the United States for Sears. Both these road tests garnered media attention and prestige for Chaffey College. Contino pioneered the only for-credit racecar technology program in the world, which he started in a campus warehouse. This program launched many successful racing careers. The program also connected students with racing celebrities such as Dan Gurney, Andy Granatelli, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, and the legendary actor Paul Newman. Newman donated three cars to the program including a souped-up 1963 VW, which the students rebuilt. Racecar Technology students also built and raced a 1968 Camaro, a 1969 Mustang and an American Motors Rambler. They raced their cars in intercollegiate races, which Contino engineered, as well as at the Ontario Motor Speedway, Laguna Seca, and the Riverside Raceway. In addition, the students participated in the Pikes Peak hill climb race, and tested cars at the Bonneville Salt Flats. They also raced in several off-road races like the Baja 500. One of the highlights of Contino's innovative and illustrious career in racing occurred in 1985 when he served in the pit crew with Mario Andretti's team at the Indianapolis 500. After retiring from teaching in 1989, Contino couldn't settle down in his easy chair and do nothing more challenging than wield a remote control. Retirement takes on a new meaning when applied to energetic people like Sam Contino. As long as there are more challenges to be met, more hills to climb, more sports to conquer, Contino continues turning corners and starting over. Once, Contino solicited money, food, clothing, and lumber for the poor people living in the Tijuana dump. Donors sponsored Sam's 150-mile jog from Ontario to Tijuana. Later, he won medals in the Senior Olympics, rode a horse in a cattle drive, and operated a hot-air balloon. Contino even drove a racecar of his own. And always, he made time to mentor and advise. Ida passed away in 2004. Contino's second wife, Beverly, complements him well. Today in his 80s, Sam continues to be active in a variety of sports and adventures, now teaching water aerobics and "Sammy" Yoga. He tells his story in his own rambling style, sparkling with his philosophy that good care of our bodies allows us to live life to the fullest. Contino's zest for life is infectious. Who knows what might lie in store for such a man.

Catherine Leggitt is a published author and inspirational speaker. When she isn’t writing, this native Californian serves as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, sings in the church choir, and entertains her six grandchildren. Catherine’s cozy mystery series-The Christine Sterling Mysteries-was published by Ellechor Publishing. PAYNE & MISERY, won 2nd place at the Orange County Christian Writers Conference in 2010 and was published in 2011. THE DUNN DEAL was published in 2012. PARRISH THE THOUGHT made the quarterfinals in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest before being published in 2012. Contact: c.leggitt@aol.com Website: www.catherineleggitt.com