Usually revving the engine before the light helps! Of course it helps to have a nice sounding exhaust system. I usually don't have to bring it on, people want to test me so I don't look much. Of course when I finally see a totally RICED out Civic or something, they don't want to race me.. (it makes me think they have no V-TEC, no engine mods, just ground effects, rims, vinyl.. oh .. and I guess most ricers do have the exhaust.. although mostly just a muffler, not the whole cat-back... what I'm trying to say is TAKE ON A CIVIC.. most of them are just for show anyways.. once in a while their bite is as bad as their bark..
Remember, the intimidation factor is what gets people to race the most. Like I said, rev your engine, let em hear what you got.. then they can make the decision.. =)