The team, consisting of crew chief and owner, Sandy Elliot, car builder and driver, Barrie Poole, and driver, John Elliot, competed in the United States and Canada in National Hot Rod Association meets. From 1969 to 1971, it was one of the most recognized and most successful teams and was nicknamed the “Border Bandits” by their American competitors because of the number of trophies they took back across the Canadian border. In the process, the team set many Canadian firsts in Drag Racing.

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1968 – John was the first Canadian to win a Stock Class at an NHRA National Meet by winning the A Stock Automatic Class at the ‘68 Winternationals in Pomona, California

1968 – John was the first Canadian to win a Stock Divisional Title by winning the ‘68 NHRA 3 Stock Title

1970 – Barrie became the first Canadian to win an NHRA National Eliminator Title by winning the Super Stock Eliminator at the ‘70 Winternationals in Pomona, California

1970 – John was the first Canadian to win an NHRA Springnationals Eliminator and the second Canadian to win a National Eliminator by winning the ‘70 Springnationals Super Stock Eliminator at Dallas, Texas – he also won 2 Canadian Nationals, one in Sunair, Quebec and one in Windsor, Ontario

1970 – Barrie and John were named “Super Stock Drivers of the Year” by Super Stock Magazine

1971 – Barrie repeated as champion by winning the NHRA Super Stock Eliminator Title at Pomona, California

1971 – Sandy was the first Canadian to be named to Car Craft Magazine’s All Star Racing Team when he was honoured as Super Stock Crew Chief

1969-1971 – the team won 3 NHRA Super Stock Nationals (the first Canadians to win even one), was runner-up at 2 NHRA Nationals, was in the semi-finals at 12 NHRA Nationals, won 2 NHRA Canadian Nationals, won 2 Popular Hot Rodding Magazine Meets, set 9 NHRA National records, and led the NHRA Division 3 points series 3 years in a row

February 20th, 1999 – the team of “Border Bandits” was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame


Others who assisted the team were Wayne Huber, Ralph Wilkens, Louis Rivait, Doug Houle, Bruce Inwood, Jim Edmondson, and John Smith.