Big thing to get consistency in a manual trans is to do the same thing every lap. The same length burnout, out of the water the same every time, etc. Consistency on shift rpm is actually easier with a stick, no converter slippage to worry about, or shifting early to get engagement at the rpm you want. With a five speed, I can also keep the engine in peak torque a lot longer during the run. I always chassis dyno my cars before going to the track so I know exactly what range to keep the revs in. If I want to have more or less time in a particular gear, it's also quite easy to change gear ratios in the transmission. With all the good clutches and boxes, consistency with a stick is no longer the problem it was. I guess it depends on what you get used to and how much practice you want to put in.... Oh yeah, I also run with a pair of headsets and a "beeper box" off the tach that beeps at a preset RPM shift point so watching the tach is no longer an issue. That, along with a two step rev limiter will make any car regardless of trans type more consistent....