Well I think if your going to shorten the distance, the mph and et with both be down, so you`ll have some rpm to spare,and you`ll put more gear in to get back to the same rpm you used to go through top end at,engines will rev up quicker, leave harder, and make less breakage I would say,,I`ve raced 1/4 mile and 1/8, I see way less breakage of parts at the 1/8 mile tracks, than the 1/4 mile ones..I still think its a good idea, as for safety rules,they usually base the rules on how fast you run, which means if your down 10 mph or 1/2 a sec. for example, at top end,,that lets alot of cars off the hook for parachutes alone! just my opinion !