HP vs. Q?

[Damn True]

Howdy ya'all. Been lurking here for a while.

Got a question I can't seem to find an answer to elsewhere.

In terms of driveability on the track or agressive street driving where should the power lie? More torque than HP? More HP than torque?

I know from my days of racing motorcycles that it is a whole lot easier to hustle a torquey Ducati around a track than a peaky GSXR. Does the same apply on four wheels?

By the same token, I know that most race cars are peaky high strung beasts, but I no more have the talent of Mark Donohue than Miguel DuHammel.

So for Joe Average who is going to be learning to drive a Pro-Touring car at or near it's limits which engine "character" would be most appropriate?