Welcome back Richard,
Glad everyone made it back safe and sound, barring Gary's starter and your shifter problem. Perhaps it is already on your list, but I would double check the fluid level, or even change the fluid alltogether. If you guys were driving hard and then experiencing cool nights, you might have some condensation buildup.
I change mine after each time at the track. So far that is working out to two to three times annually. I am going through
Amsoil synchromesh fluid at a good clip, but no problems (knock on wood).
You might give Joe Diederichs a call at Standard Transmission and get his thoughts.