Auto car here, but Like most I start in 2nd, barely get in the water swipe roll out, start the burn out as soon as the tire start smoking I hit 3rd let them roll when the rpms start to shoot up I let the brake go and ease out to the line. With the stick maybe you could hold a steady 6500 for a few seconds longer then roll out. FWIW I see guys stay too long in the water and even do the entire burn out only a few inches away from the box. To start in 3rd you'd have to be way up in the rpms to get them going. Whould that hurt your clutch? (heat)