17lbs is nice, and you'll end up down around 14-15 as they wear.
DO NOT smoke the shit out of them.
Go around the water box and back in with your rear tires, by having the track Rat set you up at just 1 revolution backwards into the water box.
Starting on the front edge of the water box now, dump second gear at like 3500+ then jump on the brakes and let it walk out after you reach 5500-6000RPM's. This sounds easier than you think, and it is, but it takes practice in order to do it and still be NICE to your car. 2nd gear will break a wet tire like nothing, and this is NOT a tire that requires heat, just a clean off.
You should be able to launch at 42-4800 but do NOT "dump" the clutch, just ease it on as quickly as possible. You will learn a clever little dance with your left foot and the delivery which will make for a quick launch without bogging the motor, which is easy to do. (Bogging that is)
Again, DO NOT smoke the shit out of a drag radial, BFG's or MT's both say NOT to do that, and they're right, it's just worthless and wastes tire life.