I am looking for useful advice on how to line up I'm sure you've seen racing on tv, it's the same. Light the top bulb, wait for the other guy to light his top bulb (courtesy staging), then light the bottom bulb. The second bulb doesn't matter if you go in first or second, but if the other guy lights his second bulb first you have 7 seconds to light yours or get an automatic redlight. If the other guy doesn't courtesy stage and lights both bulbs when haven't lit any, you can wait as long as you need, but as soon as 3 bulbs are lit you will be on the timer. Also, the distance between the prestage and stage lights is roughly 6-8"..
how to time the lights(When the lights start to come down, don't pay any attention to the 1st two. Stare at the 3rd light, look deep inside of it and block out everything else. When you see that light come on, GO! It's hard to block everything out and not anticipate the light, but if you can react to it like a streetrace flashlight you should be able to turn good lights.),
how to take off (Just like in a street race at first. You may notice you'll be able to leave a little harder due to track prep, but start with what you know and work from there. I would still make the first pass a light one. Leave at idle, short shift, etc to get a feel for the track. Stay in the groove, that's where all the traction is.),
should I adjust the Caltracs, shocks set firm or soft, all that kind of stuff(Nope, not at first anyway. Leave it the way it is so you have data to work with.).