2000GT Shifter / gears

[Chris2000GTvert]

I have a newbie question for some of the more experienced people around here...

I just got a 2000GT vert and I made a pretty bad mistake (redlining 2nd, trying to go to third but sticking into first) earlier this week, and it has been on my conscious constantly.

The way I'm shifting that gear is by kinda pushing the knob diagonally, and it usually always hits third (I dont normally run revs high though). In higher revs do I need to change that strategy to be safe or what?

When you guys are running your engines up to 5000, what exact movements are you using to get into third? Any advice appreciated. Also, as far as getting one of those steeda short throw tri ax things, what exactly does that help with?

Chris