451 for a street car??

Just check your speedo a lot and start out with a light right foot until you get the hang of it. It's really easy to control your speed with the throttle on these cars (lots of engine braking force).

Even if that engine can fry the tires I feel like what you were told might have been an exaggeration (400 HP isn't crazy high). What's the fastest car you've driven, maybe we can help gauge the feel from that?