As for racebikes, many of the new sponsored big-ticket superbikers have an electronically controlled clutch linked to the shifter, where the clutch is disengaged and engaged far more rapidly than the racer can do with his hand. This prevents the shift forks and gears from being hammered into grey paste by the end of the race.
This tech has actually trickled down, the new Yammie FJ1300 AE uses basically the same technology.