[retengw31]

Saw that car at JJ's shop last year. Very, very nice.

That's the great part about the 2/3 match race format. You don't have to be super consistent. Girlie boy automatics are a whole lot easier to drive, but most of those guys also squat to pee. 4 speeds are very hard to launch, unless you let out the clutch at basically idle and then punch it. Not unheard of to run high 13's at 107-108 with stick shift cars like that. That's what I usually get matched against. You'll never be as consistent as the automatics and without the ability to preload the suspension (ala brake torquing)the automatics will always run quicker for the same MPH car.
So if a panty waste automatic (or a sandbagger) gets you first round, climb all over that tree on the second round and take advantage of the launch of a 4 speed. What you got to lose? JJ can do it, Stefina can do it, Dudek and Joel can do it, sure there are others. I used to be able to, now only now and then. Pro tree at F.A.S.T. meets make it a little more even as you don't have to be as concerned about the red lights.