Then and Now
By Judy Salamacha

Friday, May 15 is the deadline to take the “All In Student Challenge” for 2015 (see: www.allindriver.com), sponsored by McCarthy’s of San Luis Obispo.
The program changed in 2015 to reach more Central Coast students in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties with a valid California Driver’s License and Student ID.
“It doesn’t matter if students are in high school, community college, or university,” said Mike McCarthy, who visits campuses with Coach Tommy Miner and the California Highway Patrol encouraging students to agree to drive — and live — smart and responsibly.
Ten students and their parents will be randomly selected to join the festivities May 30 at McCarthy’s car lot, 43 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo for a barbecue and drawing when one will win a Scion tC.
Then during the 2015-2016 academic year, all students who took the challenge will receive email questionnaires, as a reminder to drive, ride and live responsibly all the time and if the student returns the emails he or she could win one of 20, $500 scholarships offered by McCarthy’s.
For the past several years Mike McCarthy takes a break each day to hike up the 1,292-foot Madonna Mountain that overlooks the pre-owned cars at the dealership he’s owned since 1979.
It’s his personal challenge to live responsibly. But there is another mountain he’s tried to climb for the past 13 years. It’s the challenge to inspire young people to drive, ride and live life thoughtfully and carefully.
“When the program started in 1991,” McCarthy, “we challenged seniors from Paso Robles to Nipomo to sign the challenge as they arrived to attend their grad night. It seemed every year there was a tragedy around graduation. We wanted to make them aware of impaired driving. The first year we gave away a Mazda Miata.”
During the recent recession years, McCarthy admitted he had to take a break from offering the program, but started it again three years ago, adding the bonus scholarships.
He soon realized he needed to reach more students. Last year he took the giveaway car onto campuses. He was frustrated he couldn’t get to all the schools, so in 2015 he asked Tommy Miner to help with the program.
McCarthy knew Miner as a savvy coach from Central Coast Youth Football League and a current coach at San Luis High School.
“More than 1,500 [as of May 4] have taken the Challenge,” said McCarthy. “Our goal is 3,000 driving age students, not just graduates. Having the website and phone app has made the difference to get students to sign up. We only have seconds to connect with them on campus. Students learn more by going to the app as they wait to talk to us.”
(Adults, take heed!) Students agree to not text while driving; no speeding or driving recklessly; if drinking, find a safe ride home — even for friends; wear a seatbelt and stay alert; ask for help; be careful what is posted or shared online; tell someone your whereabouts; and be responsible for personal actions, understanding what we do — positive or negative — affects others.
Students serious about qualifying for the $500 scholarship will answer the email reminders during the year re-challenging themselves to drive and live responsibly.
Originally from San Jose, McCarthy attended Arroyo Grande High School and Cuesta College and detailed cars while in school. He was asked to buy a local dealer’s pre-owned inventory to detail and sell, thus, McCarthy’s sales began in 1979 working out of his Higuera shop, Central Coast Auto Detail.
In the 1980s, McCarthy’s Wholesale focused on dealer-to-dealer transactions. In the 1990s he expanded beyond his current location on Higuera to include a memorabilia showroom of classic cars and vintage 1950s signage. It became a popular tourist attraction and sales center until the recession hit and he was forced to downsize.
He believes there is the right car for the right owner and providing his sales team with the best product, they’ll make the perfect match and happy customers. Most of his 13 employees have been with him for eight to 20 years.
“I couldn’t close my eyes and dream up a better group to work with,” McCarthy said, “and we have fun, too.”

Judy Salamacha’s Then & Now column is special to Tolosa Press. Email stories ideas to her at: or call 801-1422.