I had the corolla T-Sport for a while, which was total bollox... That was 180 VVT. I do agree with you, but i think its how they are driven imo.
One of the people he bet was a modded DC2 import, match for match car, apart from the other guys was modded. revved stupid high etc etc... Still beat him though, just by timing VTEC properly and not nailing it off the line and not hitting VTEC in first.
For a NA car, not alot around NA and similar engine size that can keep up with it IMO. VTEC is getting phased out now anyway, due to tighter emissions, so HONDA are going to be building turbo petrol cars from now on. Which is a shame tbh