About Partytime Racing Team

The PartyTime Rail
Article by: Party Time Racing Team
Photos: Party Time Team
In memory of : Mr. Alva Ali


In every endeavour, there must be a vision, a drive and a sense of purpose. A successful outcome is realized with determination, discipline and the burning desire to lead. This has been the mission of Sheldon, manager of the Partytime Racing Team, which has played an integral part in making the sport of Drag Racing in Trinidad & Tobago comparable to international standards. The team has dominated the sport and has been known to dictate the pace since its inception in 1987, with its debut at Wallerfield in the 17-second bracket. Sheldon, behind the wheel of a Ford 2000 Escort emerged victorious, setting precedence for approximately the next sixteen (16) years, which is evident in the accomplishments of the Party Time Racing Team.

The first 9-second, 8-second and 7-second times ever recorded at Wallerfield were all achieved by the Partytime Racingteam. Low 8-second runs (8.00 - 8.20) were regular feats attained since 1996. In 1999, at the Puerto Rico International Speedway, an NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) certified track, Sheldon and his team recorded the fastest time for a local driver, blistering down the quarter mile strip in 7.1 seconds at a top speed of approximately 188 mph. To date, this record remains unbroken. Due to the absence of what they saw as significant competition, the team withdrew from active participation from 1999, after setting the record in Puerto Rico.

In April 2003, with a newly built NHRA certified dragster, the Partytime Racing Team is attempting to clock a 6-second quarter mile run with speeds exceeding 200 mph (on a gasolene powered/nitrous rail). Few cars and drivers worldwide have ever achieved such an accomplishment.

The team over the years, has changed faces but the vision has remained. The team not only works on it's own cars but use their expertise in setting up and successfully tuning other race cars. For example the Showtime Rail and most recently the MintCars Rail (full potential still to be realized). The team also offers assistance , advice and technical information and support to other teams and racers. The team is also willing to assist anyone who asks.

A Racecar requires intense attention to detail. All calculations, tuning and testing is done by the Partytime Racing Team. The team believes that the secret of success is truly understanding every aspect of the racecar and making use of the most advanced products and services available. A calm and professional approach at all levels; from the garage to the racetrack is a valuable asset in this highly dangerous sport. The team is of the opinion that drag racing in Trinidad & Tobago has a long and bright future and that this country is capable of producing cars that can compete and win internationally.

Our goal have just been outside our reach, after about two years, it was decided that to accomplish what we want, we needed to change the chassis. This time the chassis is longer and designed to transfer the power at launch to where it matters the most. We have also decided to rebuild the motor and go by way of fuel injection, with nitrous and using race fuel. The chassis is built by Spitzer and the motor by Pat Musi, two big names in getting fast cars down the track. We completed building the car in 2005 and had some time to test the car and its systems that same year. However, we were not impressed with the fuel injection system and in 2006 we converted to carburetors. We had some good test runs in 2006 but not where we wanted to be. 2007  is a new year and new things will happen.

The Partytime Racing Team over the years has names like:

Sheldon (Satan)
Giselle
Glen
Tony (Bouge)
Allan (Poudy)
George
Shaun
Andy (Sharkie)
Brian (Brags)
Andy Jr. (Ling)
Luke (Skywalker)
Larry (Laro)
Denzil (Bo)
Lester (Bigman)
Aaron
Nathan (Cameron Race Cars, Texas)
Leslie (from Grenada) Tony (NJ) Ravi (from Grenada)
Garvin
Michael (Mint) Rishi
Mahadeo (Jets)
Gerome (Gerry)
The Late Frankie Ramdeen (Rambo)
Sham
Roger K
Silas, Chad, Scar, Jango,
Turbo, Big Brian, Jimmy
The Late 'Greek'
The Late Alva Ali