Yes, light car and quick releasing brake helps.
I am sure what the OP is looking to do will be on a 4tenths tree.
Most anything 7.0 in the 1/8 or the 11.50 stuff is 5 tenths.
6.50 and 10.0 or faster is all 400 around here
I have a light car now. I had a very light car then, with a decent brake, but not a lightning-fast one. I think the car might have worked well with a younger driver with a better internal r.t.
To a point.... I think the faster the car, the better chance against a .400 tree. Got to be able to redlight, and then it's delay box time.