Ah, that brings back memories....
Mate, this what i use to do....
As you leave the staging lanes, make sure its in top gear and NOT LOW. Once the back wheels have rolled the water trough, blip the throttle to about a 1/3 open and sail on out for a skid. In top gear, at just on 8,000 it would do a nice skid.
Stop, deep breath, select reverse and back we go.
Behind the start line, final check by crew, inch forward.... pre stage, keep breathing normal. so as not to fog the visor, start bringing the revs up......4,000, ease ever so gently into full stage.....
Last yellow, get the f@#* outta Dodge City.....
8,800 rpm, shift light, up shift..... 1,000 foot marker, hand on chute lever, finish line, put the laundry out, lift throttle, cut fuel supply, click neutral, shut down engine and start getting ready for the last turn off loop, around the corner, pull up.
Now, sit in the car in the shed, and go through the scenerio over and over and over.
It did it before i went for my blown license and did a 8:36 @ 159 mph for my license to given the nod.
Good luck, keep a cool head and go get 'em.