This is all well and good, but in reality, most cars that you would even care about the 0-60mph time on are already geared to do that in 2nd gear, actually just a tad higher.
Other places they use 0-100kph, which I think is around 62mph, so this is what most performance cars are geared for.
There may be an odd car out there that hits redline in 2nd at 57-58 or something, but it's not the norm.
Both my Prelude and 911 hit 100kph at about redline in 2nd.
But I do agree with arbitrary specs being only part of the equation. As far as the specs are concerned, my friend's Mini Cooper S should beat by 911 by just a smidge to 60, and because of my non-speedy transmission. When we did a rolling race though, from about 35-80, I started walking away right from the moment we started, so it's apparent which car is faster.
I wouldn't have any problem taking lots of "faster" cars on a track, but I don't have a drag car.
Unfotunately, with the exception of Top Gear, our cars aren't tested on the same track by the same driver for the top lap times, and most of the cars they test, the majority of us won't see.
I've seen a 911 Turbo get trounced at a smaller track with more turns and less straightaways by a "lowly" 914 with about 75hp.