That's probably also true and that a lighter rotating assembly would net more to the wheels with a direct drive/manual trans/clucth than with an automatic which would have more efficiency losses tranferring power to the wheels.

WIZE

World's Quickest Diahatsu Rocky (??) 414" Stroker Small block Mopar Powered. 10.84 @ 123...and gettin' quicker!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mWzLma3YGI

In Car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjXcf95e6v0