As far as burnout technique, here's what i do:
Start in second, bring it up to 5000, shift to high, give it a little more throttle, at 6000 or so release the linelock, more power to hold it at 6000ish, do rolling burnout at least 10 ft to get you out of the water thrown forward by the tires and the balled-up rubber near the burnout box. Stop, kick it in neutral, clear motor, pull up to the line allowing 10ft or so to ensure proper engagement. Never stop the burnout in the water or near it, never start in first gear.
I usually do a bit longer of a rolling burnout (if you watch videos of my car, it almost looks like I dont hold it in the box at all) because i used to drive a jr dragster and that's what I'm used to.