Sal's Open Road

  • INTERVIEWED BY:

    Team Full Circle

SAL DONATO

Owner & Mechanic
Philadelphia Motorsports

“They said it can't be done. I mean, don't tell me that. Because to prove someone wrong-that it can be done-that drives me.”

INTERESTS:

Engineering Sports

THEMES DISCUSSED:

Education Family Fulfillment Money & Financial Security Pressure Experience Hard Work Planning Success Determination Transitions Focus Goals Opportunity Perseverance Passion Self-Reflection

FOUNDATION:

Building Things

BIOGRAPHY:

  • Grew up in the Poconos, where he was exposed to racing early on in life, via the nearby Pocono Raceway.
  • He'd always liked working with his hands and making things; he was helping his dad build cabinets at five years old.
  • He went to school to study electronics, but he quickly realized that while he loved electronics, he didn't love school; he wanted hands-on work.
  • Volunteered as a mechanic and found the hands-on environment he was looking for, as well as mentorship from older mechanics around him.
  • Built up a solid reputation as being a good mechanic; one day, a friend needed help building an engine and no shop would help him.
  • Fueled by the belief that he was building engines that couldn't be built, Sal threw himself into shrinking and rebuilding custom-fitted pieces.
  • Soon his pieces were in high demand, and he knew it was time for him to take the leap and start his own business.
  • Loves his job so much that he says if he won the lottery tomorrow, he'd still show up at the garage on Monday, ready to tinker.

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