help me choose a trans. auto or 5speed?

[ols0051]

I like the beat em with a stick slogan. And that's the way I really want to go. But I'm sick of losing rounds at least in my convert in street eliminator classes to 4 door sedans. My lx is ready for a 5spd. I have everthing but the gearbox and clutch. I hope to be able to enter in classes outside of the street type classes with my lx. I'm hoping for some low 12's or high 11's. But everyone I talk too says I'm nuts for running a 5spd and I'll never win round with it. I have a adjustable clutch cable, firewall adjuster, also welded together a clutch pedal stop with an adjustment.