I doubt moving it back 1" will affect the car in the slightest. Although if your concerned you could always put a little bit of bracing the other side of the tranny tunnel.
Can't you just move it the whole lot forward a little? Then use a remote gear turret? I think they move the stick back 4". They only cost around £40, although I've seen some designs floating around the net, to make one for nothing.
edit: Found the link for a
Gear Selector Extension