Here’s one that may very well have to live in the “flashback” annals, because chances are you’ll never see television coverage like this again. Which, if you’re a fan of sportsman racing as this writer is, that’s quite a shame. But in the 1980’s and on through the early 90’s, Diamond P Sports and The Nashville Network (TNN) consistently delivered for the grass roots racers and fans alike with coverage on their weekly “American Sports Cavalcade” program that not even the NHRA itself has shown any desire to televise or promote in the years since. And although the Cavalcade program ceased to exist following the 1995 season and was followed shortley thereafter by Diamond P and later TNN, the advent of YouTube and other video storage sites has allowed this timeless footage to live on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhnYpLBCwrQ

Case in point, back in 1988, Cavalcade visited the Sanair Raceway in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for the annual visit by the NHRA for the LeGrandnational Molson where the sportsman eliminators of the then NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series (now known as the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series) were shown on national television.

The categories shown in these two clips include the 8.90 Super Comp index class, along with one of the coolest classes in all of drag racing: Competition Eliminator. Steve Evans, Don Garlits call the action from the knowledgeable, insider perspective as only they can. You may also notice another familiar voice; that of current NHRA voiceman Paul Page. Be sure to check these clios out and follow the links via YouTube to view the more than ten parts to this broadcast that have been broken up for web viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPkqfFK3uc8

Oh, and for those that remember Sanair as a regular stop on the NHRA tour and may be curious as to its whereabouts, the track is still alive and well north of the border in Quebec.