If you can get ANY....and I mean ANY vertical lift in the shifter, then its time for bushings. RedLine MTL made a significant difference in shifter effort. RL Shockproof is even easier, but looks like its a little questionable (in theory) in having enough friction modifiers for the syncros work properly.

Having said that, it seems to be working OK even when I'm desperately rowing the shifter all over the place on the track. Supposed to eliminate any gear wear.