Video: Twenty Can-Am cars roaring around Long Beach

Featuring cars that would have originally run in the Canadian-American Challenge Cup between 1966 and 1987, the race unfolded on the Saturday of the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.

With their extreme aerodynamics, 1,000-plus horsepower engines and vibrant colour schemes, the 19 Can-Am cars gave the spectators a serious blast from the past, in a dramatic race that lasted 20 minutes. Among the competitors were the sleek black Shadow DN4s, Lola T222s and various McLaren M8s.

While the Can-Am series may have been discontinued more than 30 years ago, fans remember it fondly, with commentators calling it ‘mean and nasty’ and dubbing it ‘The greatest racing series in the history of motorsports’. And after watching this clip, filmed in high-definition from excellent angles, we’re wondering why it was ever ended…

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: How they made the Porsche 911 central feature