[Dwight Southerland]

Racing a stick car successfully takes a different mindset than racing an automatic transmission car. It is more than pushing pedals and pulling levers. There is almost a zen-like understanding you need to attain with the car since you are in control of everything.
You say you know almost nothing about a stick car so my first solid recommendation is that you get one/build one and get your hands dirty. You need to know how the transmission works, how the clutch works, how the clutch linkage works, how the shifting linkage works, how the clutch engagement impacts the rear suspension, how the engine is affected by the clutch engagement and disengagement, etc. etc. etc. You will not know this stuff and have a "feel" for it unless you are involved with it. And, by the way, you need to know how to work on every aspect of the driveline because if you race a stick car, you will work on it.