Seems to me if you try to power down to 1st from 4th, you will get thrown into the dash, if your lucky. Must have been spinning the motor above 8 grand or better in the short time it takes to engage 1st. I can just hear the clutch or tranny explosion from here.

We would run around town in third and drop to second for a "rolling start" race.

Of course I lived in town and cruising Villard ave. or Highway 100 4th wasn't even used, as the speed limit was 35 at max.

I always only engage 1st when almost at a complete stop. Just before the motor starts to lug.