OK dumb ass. I have the same car (don't know what yr you have) but no, starting in fifth gear would be dumb unless you started on a huge down hill slope. You want to start in first because it will give you the most umph to take off with. its the most powerful gear (its made to get that big car rollin) then from there your other gears come in use because they still accelerate the car, but they can do it at lower rmps because the car is already movin. so start in first and get all you can get out of it (yes, come close to red linein it) and then do the same for the next gear. BUT, the gears after that are different. You just have to get a feel for them. When I race mine I usually get out of 3rd and into 4th at about 5000rpms. Just practice on the accel ramps on the interstate. (or at the track if you don't mind gettin laughed at when you stall out or grind the gears. lol) GL