When to shift?

Always take off in 1, with the clutches and overrunning, vs the overrun by itself in Drive or 2. Shift at 5900 to 2, shift at 6000 to D. Then try lower @ 5500/5800 and see if it's quicker. Second always winds up to a higher RPM due to the gears spread. 26" tires will never grab, 27-28.5" or what will fit. The taller the better due to a longer foot print. Use this to see where the rpm is after shifting.
http://vexer.com/automotive-tools/speed-rpm-calculator
It makes sense to be at the torque peak at the start of each gear and just above the stall.
I think the higher rpm shift to high is needed since the torque converter has two input splines and different turbines. But that is just my guess on why it works. The reason I stated may be wrong. but the way it works isn't.
I use a reverse DC plate and modified tray as in the DC manual valve body notes, and column lever. It's safer since you have both hands on the wheel and shift with your fingers.
One time I forgot the tach and shifted by ear and won a first place trophy. Put the tach on the dash with a bent bracket so you get used to seeing it.
Engine has a note like a trumpet and you get used to the peak sound and shift. I collected 14 trophy's in the first 3 years of racing. Now the competition is running better and I have slowed down my alertness late in the day.
I have moved away from the track and it was 15 years before I started again with a car hauler, now it sucks driving home late on Bay Area freeways. Too many Aholes in the wrong lanes. Poor pavement or K walls on the East I 880 fog line.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3IoEvbTtg"]1968 Cuda 340 drag racing in Sonoma CA.on 275/60x15 street tires @12.94.MOV - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRYVArhYpjo"]1968 Barracuda 340 V8 at Infineon Raceway on Wed. Nite Drag Race 9/08/10. avi - YouTube[/ame]
Also my "movie".