Again, you can launch a lot better with a manual.
When my friend in his automatic Mazda was racing me, it basically looked like he was still standing still while as I was passing him right at the start. He had 40 more horses and a lot more torque than me and his car only weighed 300 more pounds. I know that I wouldn't even be able to keep up with him in an automatic.
Of course it's easier to launch in an automatic, IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO LAUNCH A STICK. Once you learn how to launch in a stick shift then come back and tell me which one is better.
I've never heard anyone say that they'd rather launch an automatic than a stick shift in a race.
Unless you're powerbreaking (which I don't recommend if you like your car) stick over automatic all the way.
BTW, I have a 100hp manual civic and a 260hp 232 lb ft of torque Acura automatic and I KNOW that this little civic would own the acura for a couole of feet because it's an automatic.