You could just say you recently replaced the clutch and are not used to it, or that you recently learned how to drive manual and just suck. Friend of mine got away with that but that was in DC so iono. I'm sure they'll at least drop it to improper if you weren't gunning it in 1st. And...you say you didn't go faster than 35mph (then you shifted into 2nd, chirped and braked) but uh for alot of cars that's about redline in first gear, so it doesn't sound good for your case. Good luck.