Ok, I finally got the updated shifter installed and ran it at Buttonwillow Raceway last weekend (two days of practice).
It. Was. Awesome.
The combination of the Ben's short shifter, Function First bearings, and my rally shift knob was perfect! There is no slop in the shifting mechanism and the tall rally shift knob brings the shifter closer to the steering wheel within quick and natural reach. The shifts were effortless and I never had to think about a shift while out of the track.
