Autox with a column shift

I have an AAR Cuda that is a column shift auto. I was wondering if anyone here autox with a column shifter. I don't really feel like converting it to the floor but I might. It once had a 4 spd but was put back to stock. It now is set up for the street, I do take it to a few drag race events just wondering if anyone does race with the column shifter.

automatic???? don't make a bit of difference, put it in 2nd and go for it

IF you are at a longer course and NEED to shift, then it ain't a problem at all. Just go racing.

lol just autox'd my column shifted cuda today. no problem, just put it in two, or if your kickdown needs some additional adjustment shift it as needed. This is handy if you want to keep it in 1st for an element so that it doesn't snap in to second the moment you let off the gas. Though i doubt that is necessary on your torquey AAR as much as it is on my 273 that needs carb tuning.

I basically agree with both previous responses and add the following:

Shifting in autocross costs precious time.
With an automatic, it is generally best to put it in 2nd and leave it. Once in a while a course is slow and tight enough that I'll use 1st. As suggested above, running in first requires much smoother footwork and it rarely pays off.
I've pretty much given up on manually shifting the column selector while autocrossing. I find the transmission's response is too slow even with a mild shift kit (MP/TA). Some of that is the linkage - and therefore might be better with a floor selector. A balance has to be struck between firm shift and upsetting the car at the wrong point. This is one reason I actually went back to a slightly softer 1-2 shift in the 727. I wanted to keep the kickdown smooth as possible.
At the drag strip, I manually shift because I want to rev it to the top of the HP curve. In autox torque off the corners and being smooth is more important.

Good info since I really don't autox it that much I will leave it be. I am getting it ready for some drag racing then back to prepping for street and autox. I had thought of converting it to floor but it probably isn't needed for my type of driving.