Paul,
I think making a few soft launches and motoring down the track is sound advise. Lets you learn where the return lanes are and gives you some mental landmarks. Most tracks have more than enough run off and a couple of turn offs but you need to know where they are. You do not have to lock the brakes up to hit the first one you see. A soft run allows you to get comfortable with track protocol of crossing into the other lane to enter the return lanes.
Do not worry about getting a perfect light on your reaction time, clock does not start until you do but a perfect light is good for bragging rights. 2nd and maybe 3rd gear tend to get a little slippery so be ready for it. If she does start to get away from you get out of it rather than driving through it until very comfortable with the cars abilities and yours. At the end of your pass just kick her out of gear rather than using compression to slow you a bit. That is hard on the rods at high RPM and if
oil rushes forward in pan away from the
oil pick up no load is better on the engine. It also allows suspension to transition from accelerating to slowing more gracefully.
I made my living drag racing many years ago and loved it, still love it but I eat a lot better now. LOL!! In the end other than the launch and you can always ease up a bit on it the car is not abused any more than grabbing gears on a road course in my opinion. ENJOY and be safe.