Sorry to say with an Auto, there is NO CHANCE!! With a 6SPD, there is a slight chance, but you would have to get one awesome launch to stand a chance. If the guy knows how to launch the WRX and is ready, GOOD LUCK. Having had the WRX, if you bog it off the line, it will fall on its face for about 1.5s until it catches back up, if he does that the Manual 8 would get him and the auto may, MAYBE stand a chance. I have not run across any WRX's with my 8 yet, which is 6SPD, so I can not comment on experience. Also if it is an auto WRX (there are a few) it would be slower, so there is a greater chance to beat it. There are a lot of "if's" in this scenario.

 

having owned both before.. can safely say, corner entry speed in a rx8 much faster than a wrx (that understeers all over the shop!!)
rx8 chassis definitely beats wrx here!

 

thought yer name was linc...not jack