the need for speed

[Bagsmode@xxxxxxx]

Ok all you car-techies, I had my first drag race with a guy last night (I 
think it was against a Mustang--was night, therefore dark, and I was 
concentrating on my driving.  I did well in my M Roadster, neck and neck all 
the way.  Was talking to a friend of mine and he told me I need to learn to 
power-shift and explained it to me.  Everytime I shifted, I was releasing the 
gas; what he explained was that I should keep the gas pedal down while 
shifting to keep the RPMs up.  Also, that I wasn't bringing it to high enough 
RPMs, red line isn't starting until 6500, yet I didn't go past 4500.  He felt 
that I should get the revs up to more around 5000, 5500.

What do you guys think?  What's the effect on my car in doing these things?  
I know they're not things I can do everyday.  But like if I let it out once a 
week?  (Don't want to be in and out of the shop all the time ;)

Also, right now all the things that I have on/in the car are all the 
standard, out of the factory stuff.  What upgrades, etc, could I get that 
would give me the most bang for my buck?  For example, if there was something 
that would only cost me a couple hundred and would really help performance 
(whatever), please suggest!

Thanks,
Glenn

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