How well do you know other cars in their stock form? People who knows cars usually are aware of some facts and figures of other cars.
When you see someone on the road, do you know what displacement, hp, ft/lbs, and performance figures the other cars have? Do you know for sure what you can and cannot beat assuming they are in stock form, and ignoring human error?

When I was young I had a Fiero and thought I had a fast car. I tried to race Cadillacs with the NorthStar, and older BMW 5 Series and lose by xx car lengths
Now I am pretty knowledgeable of what other cars can do. I am not good at racing. I don't know how to launch, and I don't change gears too fluidly. Therefore, I usually give a car length or so to vans, GM common cars, etc in the first couple seconds.