Actually it is true in 99% of the cases that a stick will be faster than an auto in the hands of a good driver. The only examples that I can think of that this is not true on are exotics (e.g. Ferrari) and the new 997 Turbo Porsche.

Things to remember with a stick are that it suffers from less drive line loss and if you know how to drive it you have much more control and can get a better launch. Better being defined as a fast time.