How to reopen a dragstrip?

This is 1/8 mile. In fact, today a neighbor told me they race Friday nights at 10:00PM. I will believe it when I see it. I will be there tomorrow night and then check back here. Oh, while we are on the subject, what equipment differences are advisable converting a car from 1/4 mile to 1/8 mile? The only obvious one to me would be a steeper rear end ratio.