Rob...Frank,
Try a 'short stick' of your choice and eliminate the rubber. Several sticks are on the market that will give you that 'notchy positive click' just like a 'ole Hurst Competition Plus. Some of the younger hard core drag racers around here like the following:
1. Quick Stick from
www.LS1speed.com
2. T56 Short Handle from
www.Spectaclesolutions.com
I watched a young local guy at Rockingham with a Quick Stick on a factory Hurst in a 'warmed-over' 01 SS. I could have sworn it was Ronnie Sox himself banging the gears!
The sticks are inexpensive and a breeze to change. I've heard that Hurst/Mr Gasket has a T handle that will screw onto the factory and after-market handles, althought I haven't seen one yet.
Of course, if you still think the factory Hurst sucks, the B&M Ripper and the Pro-5 are popular.