Actually, it isn't rubbish. BHP figures quoted are the maximum reached. This figure is achieved only for the split second before having to change gear.
Maximum torque is achieved further down the rev range so is much more useful. Also, the optimum RPM for changing gear is somewhere between max torgue and max BHP, so you usually never achieve max BHP.
An engine with good low down torgue (grunt) will out drag a high revving BHP car. Also, powering out of corners is easier with low down torque than high end BHP.
If we have to talk Pub BHP, I can run with the big boys
Design power 520bhp and 420lb/ft
Using Q16 race fuel this increases to around 600bhp and 500lb/ft
Then there is 100bhp nitrous if required. As this comes in low in the rev range its affect is more like torque than BHP.
I can talk the talk but have yet to walk the walk
Of course, power isn't everything, you also have to consider vehicle weight. So the power to weight ratio is much more revealing
PS Just noticed that this post is almost a rewrite of Sleeper's!