great runs for first time out,
I know you did some of this but i will post it for you and others

1. street tires go around the water, (water will drain between the theard and you will spin like crazy,) keep your street as dry as you can.
2. stage deep this car loves deep staging,, (when you light up the bottom little blub, let the car roll (bump) foward just a little after a few times you get the hang of it).
3. onced you are staged (with trac off) hold brake with left foot, bring the rpm up to say 12 to 15oo (your busy you don't have to look until you get use to it, 4 or 5 runs later then try to get rpm aroung 1500 to 1700.
4. find the green light now move up to the last yellow(the one above the green) when that light comes on ===go, gas to the floor.
5. get your time slip with a great RT and a great ET and mph. enjoy ,,, jim