Sheldon Bissessar topped the IHRA World Finals Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina with a roaring 232 mph quarter mile in 5.83 seconds before a massive crowd of spectators, who sought to know who he was and where he came from.Also, in that same year, 2008, he qualified number one in the Snowbird Nationals in Bradenton Florida, setting a Pro Top Dragster, breaking his own record at 241 mph, quarter mile, in 5.77 sec. He was the first non-American to win the prestigious Snowbird Nationals.Reflecting on his boyhood days in Marabella, Bissessar said, "My focus was always on speed, even when I played with toy cars and box carts, which I built myself."That vision progressed and defined as he grew. During his early adult years he owned a Ford Escort and began to delve into the mechanics of increasing speed and performance. The tone and roar of the engine were enough to peak his adrenalin and inspire goose pimples of pride.
Bissessar, together with other guys, decided to challenge their skills; both in driving and the mechanical ability to get more speed out of their cars. A location was selected in nearby San Fernando, and his drag racing began to take wings.The timing was late at nights. As the night events continued, Bissessar was the most frequent winner. He was dubbed "Satan" by his friends and competitors, who said that "he drove like a devil." In later years, he continued his racing at Waller Field, cupping many awards. Inspired by his success, his dream of becoming a "super drag racer" loomed before him as he became determined to climb that hurdle to international heights.Bissessar, in his humble and casual manner, recalled that there were times of disappointment. There was also those who did not deter his ambition and passion for racing but gave him added spiritual fuel to persevere to the limit. He continued to fiddle and experiment with his engines. In spite of the many hiccups, stutters and backfires, he finally got it right to a smooth, roaring machine. He was and remains very passionate about his hobby and career in drag racing.
Browsing through his local back records in drag racing, he outlined that in 2003, he won the Trinidad and Tobago Auto Sports Association Circuit Drags. Four years later, in 2007, he raced to the top again, winning the TTASA International Award. His string of awards continued as he raced against Aruba and Brazil, qualifying number one in the Puerto Rico track record at 200 mph (miles per hour). He was also the first Trinidadian to drive at over 200 mph in the Waller Field Track and the Camden Airstrip record at 200 mph in 6.8 seconds. Bissessar's track record placed him among the first top ten nominees in the FCB Sportsmen of the Year Awards in 2008.His success followed him to the USA, where he made strides through some of the most prestigious drag events. The Trini Drag Racer, Bissessar, representing his Party Time Racing Club, roared his racing machine to the first place at 190 mph in 3.82 sec. At some of the events there were spectators numbering approximately 50,000 and more, cheering for our T&T champion drag racer, as he set world records.
Bissessar, Supreme World Drag Racer, takes his racing career very seriously. He is emotional and dedicated to the sport. He advises all young aspirants of the auto racing fraternity to understand that "motor racing in any form is a dangerous sport. One must be physically and psychology prepared for the events. Take care of your health; physically and mentally."He expresses the view that in racing, one must know his machine inside out. The operator and the car must be in unison. This must be translated in terms of understanding the mechanics of the car and taking optimum advantage of its potential and yours. He advises that all the various auto car groups in T&T must get together under one umbrella association, "to gain recognition and national support and sponsorship."
The Sunday Guardian congratulates Bissessar on all his achievements and wishes him continued success.