I was on that 9.99/10 flat fence a few years ago, I just ran it all out and seen where I was at. If it went 10.04 or so I was fine, if it went 9.98 or so and they smacked me on my wrist I would short shift it the rest of the day. The best thing to do is have your license and all the proper safety stuff but I usually barely have enough spare money to even make it to the track.

1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual