Paul,
Many U.S. quarter mile times, such as Ron described, are also hindered by the driver's reaction time to the tree lights at a sanctioned drag strip. If it was only a matter of crossing a beam to start a timer, you could shave up to a 1/2 second off many ETs here(for those asleep at the wheel!).
We Yanks tend to be a bit harder on a gearbox(speed shifting, etc. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif) than you guys, at least from what I've seen on your club videos. Perhaps these two things may account for some of the differences in ETs (US vs UK).
Many of us learned to drive using "Detroit Iron", which was practically bulletproof(Muncie Rockcrusher transmissions). Those old habits die hard, or don't die at all, in my case.
Throw caution into the wind, launch at higher RPM, and keep your right foot planted firmly on the floor! You'll make that 11 second ET yet! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill