THE TRINIDAD ROCKET (Sheldon) PICS LINK ADDED

[PTRT]

Well guys and girls, PTRT has decided to post all information under its own user name. Information, pics and vids will come directly from the team. The IHRA World Finals were from 17 -19 October, 2008 in North Carolina, at The Rock (the name of the track in Rockingham N.C.). Below are just highlights of what transpired.

The weekend was eventful for us as this was the first time the car was really being tested on the 1/4 mile. We started Friday with a 6.061 run and on Sunday with a 5.833. We will put up as much info on the weekend as we could so that we can transport you to the track, (almost like being there). Keep checking back as we have one other outing for the year as all our supporters know.



SHELDON BISSESSAR




and The Trinidad Rocket:







...and The Partytime Racing Team


The official 5.833 time slip,


The Track;


This is what the qualifying sheets looks like,

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - Order after one round of qualifying in Top Dragster at the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series, World Finals presented by CapeFearWheels.com:
Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 64 percent, barometer 29.48 inches, adjusted altitude 2,461 feet, track temperature 98 degrees.

Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd

1 314B Troy Stone, South Bend IN, Spitzer-Hemi 5.927 223.84 223.84
2 1062 Sheldon Bissessar, Maraberea TD, Sipple-Hemi 6.061 220.55 220.55
3 2090 Edward Careccia, Mars Hill NC, Horton-Chevy 6.089 232.63 232.63
4 4608 Michael Kile, Westlake LA, Spitzer-Chevy 6.113 220.40 220.40
5 9325 Jody Stroud, Chesterfield SC, Spitzer-Chevy 6.207 223.36 223.36
6 3131 Glenn Sheppard, Hamilton OH, BOS-Hemi 6.346 215.48 215.48
7 968X Brett Nesbitt, McLeansville NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.525 199.85 199.85
8 257 Dennis Kline, Athens AL, BOS-Ford 6.564 204.20 204.20
9 9673 Bruce Holland, Lexington SC, Worthy-Chevy 6.565 202.42 202.42
10 2272 Malinda Bertozzi, Ashland VA, RaceTech-Chevy 6.575 198.00 198.00
11 497 Jason Dennis, Lubbock TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.589 200.44 200.44
12 1268 Russell Leach, Reading PA, BOS-Ford 6.593 199.52 199.52
13 6 Jimmy Lewis, Forney TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.611 198.00 198.00
14 9634 Travis Blalock, Wilson NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.624 202.18 202.18
15 246 Charlie Cullotto, Palm City FL, TubeCarz-Olds 6.642 198.32 198.32
16 9121 Scott Duggins, Inman SC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.644 199.70 199.70
17 1708 Donny Urban, Pittsboro NC, Mullis-Chevy 6.644 196.67 196.67
18 114 Steve Furr, Harrisburg NC, American-Chevy 6.699 195.42 195.42
19 9151 K. Alan Trantham, Clyde NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.701 190.65 190.65
20 1 Jeff Brown, Marysville OH, American-Chevy 6.717 195.45 195.45
21 369 Joe Hessling, Toledo OH, Sherrill-Chevy 6.728 196.24 196.24
22 92 Larry Roberts, Laurens SC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.748 197.88 197.88
23 9545 Dylan Stott, Columbus NC, Maddox-Chevy 6.753 194.88 194.88
24 357X Ricky Adkins, Milan MI, Adkins-Chevy 6.756 198.26 198.26
25 2550 Not on File, , 6.768 200.98 200.98
26 9168 John Creasman, Leicester NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.772 195.11 195.11
27 388 Tom Fisher, Clayton OH, Adkins-Chevy 6.777 192.71 192.71
28 9422 John Lassiter, Graham NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.780 198.17 198.17
29 8 Troy Williams Jr., Bradenton FL, Mullis-Chevy 6.785 192.19 192.19
30 191F Jamie Bridge, Napanee ON, Undercover-Chevy 6.797 194.52 194.52
31 16 Al Miller, Chester MD, Miller-Dodge 6.814 194.74 194.74
32 2 Marco Abruzzi, Warren OH, Undercover-Chevy 6.819 195.14 195.14

------------ Not Qualified ------------

33 9858 Michael White, Arden NC, Horton-Chevy 6.822 195.11 195.11
34 1303 Jacob Elrod, Lima OH, American-Chevy 6.825 190.46 190.46
35 9501 Joe Flynn, Monroe NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.840 195.45 195.45
36 986 Jack Trussell, Sumerduck VA, M&M-Chevy 6.867 187.50 187.50
37 9049 Lauren Freer, Lewisville NC, Undercover-Chevy 6.872 191.76 191.76
38 3335 Craig Addis, Clinton OH, Sherrill-Chevy 6.882 198.70 198.70
39 917 Dean Brazell, Elgin SC, Miller-Chevy 6.893 194.04 194.04
40 120A Mike Bower, Finksburg MD, HFR-Chevy 6.932 190.08 190.08
41 915 Dave Harris, Pleasant Garden NC, Spitzer-Chevy 6.998 190.22 190.22
42 9265 W.G. Lankas, Sneads Ferry NC, RaceTech-Chevy 7.058 188.23 188.23
43 939 Jay Matics, Lester WV, Mountain-Pontiac 7.074 187.78 187.78
44 15 Chad Traylor, King William VA, Sherrill-Chevy 7.123 183.59 183.59
45 9495 David Dean, Waxhaw NC, Undercover-Chevy 7.131 188.52 188.52
46 3683 Christa Schneider, Belleville MI, Race Car-Che 7.131 181.74 181.74
47 2018 Charles Careccia, Ashville NC, Horton-Chevy 7.143 176.60 176.60
48 268W John Weidner, Lake Worth FL, Worthy-Chevy 7.211 185.95 185.95
49 9005 Glen Hedrick, Wytheville VA, Reavis-Chevy 9.372 105.96 105.96
50 1394 Patrick Forster, Pittsburg PA, Adkins-Pontiac 17.422 59.71 59.71
51 2153 Steve Bush, Port St. Lucie FL, Tube Carz-Chevy 17.428 67.22 67.22
52 911 Tony Ward, Graham NC, RaceTech-Chevy 19.955 55.90 55.90
53 9912 Josh Miller, Lancaster SC, RaceTech-Chevy 24.058 36.12 36.12

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. - Final order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Top Dragster at the 2008 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series, World Finals presented by CapeFearWheels.com:
Weather conditions: air temperature 66 degrees, relative humidity 31 percent, barometer 29.79 inches, adjusted altitude 957 feet, track temperature 93 degrees.



Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type---------------Qual-ET--Qual-Spd-Top Spd

1 2090 Edward Careccia, Mars Hill NC, Horton-Chevy 5.805 239.78 239.78
2 1062 Sheldon Bissessar, Maraberea TD, Sipple-Hemi 5.833 232.87 232.87
3 314B Troy Stone, South Bend IN, Spitzer-Hemi 5.927 223.84 223.84
4 3131 Glenn Sheppard, Hamilton OH, BOS-Hemi 6.104 224.58 224.58
5 4608 Michael Kile, Westlake LA, Spitzer-Chevy 6.113 220.40 220.40
6 915 Dave Harris, Pleasant Garden NC, Spitzer-Chevy 6.188 221.67 221.67
7 9325 Jody Stroud, Chesterfield SC, Spitzer-Chevy 6.207 223.36 223.36
8 1708 Donny Urban, Pittsboro NC, Mullis-Chevy 6.499 199.52 199.52
9 968X Brett Nesbitt, McLeansville NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.500 199.67 199.85
10 9673 Bruce Holland, Lexington SC, Worthy-Chevy 6.502 205.01 205.01
11 2153 Steve Bush, Port St. Lucie FL, Tube Carz-Chevy 6.518 205.91 205.91
12 1268 Russell Leach, Reading PA, BOS-Ford 6.542 201.22 201.22
13 9634 Travis Blalock, Wilson NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.548 200.11 202.18
14 1772 Brad Slaughter, Warren OH, RaceCraft-Chevy 6.550 206.89 206.89
15 257 Dennis Kline, Athens AL, BOS-Ford 6.564 204.20 204.20
16 2272 Malinda Bertozzi, Ashland VA, RaceTech-Chevy 6.575 198.00 198.00
17 497 Jason Dennis, Lubbock TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.589 200.44 200.44
18 9550 Angie Travis, Hickory NC, Sherrill-Chevy 6.598 201.49 201.49
19 246 Charlie Cullotto, Palm City FL, TubeCarz-Olds 6.601 198.79 198.79
20 6 Jimmy Lewis, Forney TX, Spitzer-Chevy 6.611 198.00 198.00
21 9168 John Creasman, Leicester NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.619 202.61 202.61
22 9005 Glen Hedrick, Wytheville VA, Revis-Chevy 6.623 194.86 194.86
23 9495 David Dean, Waxhaw NC, Undercover-Chevy 6.631 203.12 203.12
24 9121 Scott Duggins, Inman SC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.644 199.70 199.70
25 9501 Joe Flynn, Monroe NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.649 196.33 196.33
26 9049 Lauren Freer, Lewisville NC, Undercover-Chevy 6.650 196.04 196.04
27 9858 Michael White, Arden NC, Horton-Chevy 6.657 199.61 199.61
28 369 Joe Hessling, Toledo OH, Sherrill-Chevy 6.661 195.96 196.24
29 357X Ricky Adkins, Milan MI, Adkins-Chevy 6.666 200.14 200.14
30 114 Steve Furr, Harrisburg NC, American-Chevy 6.666 198.79 198.79
31 92 Larry Roberts, Laurens SC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.677 200.68 200.68
32 1 Jeff Brown, Marysville OH, American-Chevy 6.685 196.47 196.47

------------ Not Qualified ------------

33 2 Marco Abruzzi, Warren OH, Undercover-Chevy 6.689 200.35 200.35
34 917 Dean Brazell, Elgin SC, Miller-Chevy 6.690 199.79 199.79
35 9151 K. Alan Trantham, Clyde NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.695 185.31 190.65
36 9422 John Lassiter, Graham NC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.701 199.17 199.17
37 9545 Dylan Stott, Columbus NC, Maddox-Chevy 6.713 196.10 196.10
38 15 Chad Traylor, King William VA, Sherrill-Chevy 6.715 196.22 196.22
39 1394 Patrick Forster, Pittsburg PA, Adkins-Pontiac 6.727 197.36 197.36
40 16 Al Miller, Chester MD, Miller-Dodge 6.749 195.93 195.93
41 388 Tom Fisher, Clayton OH, Adkins-Chevy 6.750 192.00 192.71
42 1303 Jacob Elrod, Lima OH, American-Chevy 6.755 194.52 194.52
43 8 Troy Williams Jr., Bradenton FL, Mullis-Chevy 6.785 192.19 193.35
44 986 Jack Trussell, Sumerduck VA, M&M-Chevy 6.790 192.06 192.06
45 191F Jamie Bridge, Napanee ON, Undercover-Chevy 6.797 194.52 194.52
46 202U Charlie Careccia, Mars Hill NC, Horton-Chevy 6.813 192.85 192.85
47 3335 Craig Addis, Clinton OH, Sherrill-Chevy 6.882 198.70 198.70
48 9912 Josh Miller, Lancaster SC, RaceTech-Chevy 6.896 190.65 190.65
49 120A Mike Bower, Finksburg MD, HFR-Chevy 6.932 190.08 190.08
50 939 Jay Matics, Lester WV, Mountain-Pontiac 7.010 188.38 188.38
51 2018 Charles Careccia, Ashville NC, Horton-Chevy 7.022 185.46 185.46
52 9265 W.G. Lankas, Sneads Ferry NC, RaceTech-Chevy 7.057 188.04 188.23
53 3683 Christa Schneider, Belleville MI, Race Car-Che 7.131 181.74 181.74
54 911 Tony Ward, Graham NC, RaceTech-Chevy 7.145 183.27 183.27
55 268W John Weidner, Lake Worth FL, Worthy-Chevy 7.211 185.95 185.95
56 2601 Ron Raymond, Ft. Lauderdale FL, BOS-Chevy 7.838 122.71 122.71
57 918 Ty Parker, Tabaccoville NC, Spitzer-Chevy 10.996 93.95 93.95

What they are saying;

Excerpts taken from an International Drag Racing Forum (USA)

Jody Stroud

Joined: 05 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:
________________________________________
Dave Harris went 3.99 in the 1/8 today at the world finals with a 14/71 Retro HH on a big chevy with 24 deg heads at 32% od with a little left in it. Great run!!! My car pushed a head gasket out at appox 100 ft after I pedaled it twice and with 7 cylinders it still went 3.99 in the 1/8 lifting at appox 450 ft. So to all the racers in the PTO that think they can't run in the 3's, hang in there! BTW my car is a 509 with big duke 1802 heads. Also how about Sheldon and Eddie both ran in the 5.80's in the 1/4 and 3.70's in the 1/8 with 32% OD. Troy Stone went 5.92 on Fri. but cracked two main caps in the process. Glenn Sheppard went 6.08,I think, with his hemi on a soft tuneup. Great runs by all the blower cars the TD bump was 6.68, now thats a quick 32 car field, the NHRA has nothing on us.
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zaxxon1


Joined: 03 Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:
________________________________________
It was a nice weekend. We learned a lot about blower cars. Jody, it was nice meeting you, Fast Eddy, and some of the other guys. We have some more tuning to do on the car so we will be down a Bradenton Florida in December. Sheldon wants some changes on the car so lets hope we see you guys there.

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Slime

Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Posts: 3
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject: PTO 2009
________________________________________
I have a feeling this post will make some people angry but please do not be. I am just being honest. I have seen my name bunched in with Eddie and others and quite frankly it has no right to be. We are not near as fast as Eddie or Sheldon at any IHRA events. Both of those cars are a joy to watch run and those guys have their cars running nicely. We on the other hand have not run well at any IHRA event. It was awesome to get on the internet and see Eddie ran a 79 and that Sheldon stuck it in the 83's if I remember correctly. Both of you did an awesome job and you have my teams congratulations. Eddie and Sheldon both know as I do that these cars can go a lot faster then what was shown this weekend. My team has its problems and we seem to be taking a long time to work through them but we are hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. We run a very different setup then Eddie. I do not know what combo Sheldon runs so I cannot comment on his setup. He may be on the same line I am but he has just figured out some issues a lot quicker then we have been able to do.

It is no secret that I am NOT a fan of 1/8th mile racing though I should be because my car runs 3.81-3.84 in the 1/8th very very consistently and about 2 gallons fat. It is also no secret that I am not a fan of 1/4 bracket racing, but I love the speeds at the top end.

With this said, we will not come to an 1/8th mile race that also has an index. No offense to Phil and what he is trying to do. I commend him for trying to grow the sport and I hope it works.

If it ever becomes truly heads up, no index for all qualifying and eliminations, and we can run our combination then you will see us at some races, but until that time I will just keep trying to figure out how to get my car to run faster and faster and see where it leads...either I run out of time and money to fix my giant TV antenna or I go faster than I ever dreamed. Either way it will be fun. I will of course always watch the internet on you guys cause I love blower cars! They are the greatest thing to drive in my humble opinion!

I wish you guys all the best of luck. And again congratulations to Sheldon and Eddie. Now Eddie can get a new T-shirt that says first in the 70's! Nice job..that air was killer...I wish I could have kept mine in 1 piece to play with you guys.

Troy Stone
T/D 314B


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Findraces.com

Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: Rockingham Article & Event Coverage
________________________________________
I haven't been able to attend a National Event myself in a while, but it was easy to see even at Rockingham that all of the interest and excitement seems to lie in qualifications these days. Who can run the fastest and be number one at the end of the day is what everyone wants to brag about. The stands were packed on Saturday even given the cool weather. But Sunday.....no one. By noon half of the racers have packed up and left, leaving the track to look half empty and depressing, while even the pros race for the finals and the points championship with virtually no fans in the crowd or support from their fellow competitors. Doesn't anybody care who wins the race anymore....apparently not.


Top contenders for the Top Dragster field duked it out during qualifying however, with International Superstar, Sheldon Bissessar from Trinidad laying down an amazing 5.83 at almost 233mph in only his third 1/4 mile pass in his new tricked out Top Dragster, built and tuned by Aaron Sipple of ASE and IRONMAN Chassis. Edward Careccia barely bumped Bissessar out of the #1 spot with a 5.805. Keep a look out for Sheldon, the Trinidad Rocket, next year to be a regular in the spot light. He's got the driving abilities of a pro, so you might even see him moving up the ranks to Funny Car in the near future! At any case, he's definately a crowd pleaser and will provide some much needed entertainment and competition for the 2009 season!


~Carrie (Reporter)
FindRaces.com EVENT COVERAGE

[wagon r]

...my pride as a Trini....is beamin bright. Well done to Sheldon and the Party Time Team....

[White CZ4A]

all smiles after reading that!

[PTRT]

Here are a couple of vids from the weekend. First the 6.061 pass then the 5.833 pass.

The 6.061 pass;
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GvWImcNvkFw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>


The 5.833 pass;
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BHWOaQwMBB4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed>

[roctt]

congrats

[~Vēġó~]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shocksub]

Congrats Sheldon!

[wagonrunner]

Congrats Sheldon!

x2
and thank you for once again, for giving us something to be proud of.


Will the Rocket wear the national colours soon, or staying blue (sponsors??)

[cinco]

Congrats!!!
this is what should be making the news in trini

[roti]

congrats this should ah be on the sports news in trini, love that ride

[PTRT]

The car will be in national colors soon, maybe for next season but not next race day (as time is short). Also we are working on getting it on the news (hopefully by weekend).

[PTRT]

Here is another press release from the US.


[quote]
INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE

May 24, 2008

THE TRINIDAD ROCKET TAKES U.S. BY STORM

FindRaces.com – Residents and racers of Kentucky and North Carolina have been left marveling in recent weeks at the international racing phenomenon that is Sheldon Bissessar. While Bissessar has been racing in the U.S. and at local tracks back home in Trinidad for over twenty years, he has suddenly captured the interest of thousands as he moves up the ranks of Top Dragster and sets some outstanding national records virtually overnight.

After seeking the services of seasoned tuner, Aaron Sipple, owner of ASE & IRONMAN Chassis, and former Crew Chief of an IHRA Pro Funny Car Team, Sheldon stunned onlookers for a short test session at a popular drag strip in Clay City, Kentucky. After only a few passes during his first time out in his new Top Dragster, the Trinidad Rocket blast by with a 3.96 in the 1/8 mile and a 6.18 in the 1/4 mile.

Only weeks later Bissessar returned on the scene with Sipple and crew to take on the Rock, IHRA’s biggest national event held in Rockingham, North Carolina. FindRaces.com was there to cover the three day event boasting over 450 cars and racers. After laying down an amazing 5.83 at almost 233mph in only his third 1/4 mile pass, simultaneously setting the national record, Bissessar let fans and racers alike know that he was there to be number one. While Bissessar was barely bumped out of the #1 spot by three hundredths of a second at the end of qualifying, it was clear that the Trinidad Rocket was going to be a regular in the spot light this weekend and in the seasons to come.

“I haven’t worked with a driver like this in a while,â€

[gt4tified]

I'll say it again, congrats to the PTRT and thank you for flying the T&T flag high. Honestly, this was the only good news that I have seen in the last two weeks, amid all the depressing and saddening stuff going on here back at home.

[Rallyfignis]

I'm not a massive drag racing fan, but you guys making me feel real proud!!!

CONGRATS!!!

[Monk BANzai]

^^ X2 to that........congrats!!!!

[Dragist]

^^^ Well I am a Huge Drag Fan and I say Congrats .

[AutoSport]

The FindRaces.com release really makes some very interesting reading.

And knowing the history of Sheldon’s journey from way back when, to where he has arrived at today, is just mind-boggling. But this is a clear case of dogged self determination to achieve a single-minded goal that has been but a dream for many. And we must all realize that Sheldon's dream is not yet at its peak.

Let’s hope that this can be used as a catalyst to achieving all of our hopes that local motor racing can, in the shortest possible time, see all of our concerns addressed with the ultimate goal of having our own multi-faceted International Motor Sport facility that we can all be proud of.

And we will not have to wait for individuals to go off on their own, but we can be able to nurture the young ones who really show promise, and then have them make it big on the world scene.
(P.S. Hamilton was not an overnight success!)

[zaxxon1]

Let me post these two pics as I in them.

[turbohead]

watttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt.....
well done sheldon keep it up...we need to see stuff like dis on sports news in trini....

[Maserati]

Congrats to Sheldon and his team..really impressive.

[Anton]

Well done fellas!!!

[TK!]

man, ah wish the govt can see what we boys capable of doing!

and support the local racing scene!

[Dapper]

Congrats to the team, hard work does bring success.....

[redras]

Well done, Congrats to you all!!

[droppa]

Congratulations to Sheldon and the PTRT, a job well done......

















and i sure this will not be mentioned in the local newspapers eh......

[PTRT]

and i sure this will not be mentioned in the local newspapers eh......

Actually, we sent out articles to the press this past week so there is still hope it may appear on a daily.

As for sports news, Roger Sant may air the clips on CNC sports tonight.

[droppa]

will tune in, againg GR8 job....

[RA40-GTE]

Absolutely amazing! Great work fellas. CONGRATS

[Advil]

http://forums.trinituner.com/upload/5.833%20sec.JPG

imagine that,

even their time slips are more legible...

[tsr2223]

Amazing..Congrats Guys well done