A system and method for limiting torque produced by each of piston engine driven race cars in which the engine ignition timing is set by reference to an ignition timing table and a torque table. The engine torque is sensed by a torque sensor installed in the drive train and engine speed by an RPM sensor. An ECU receives the torque and engine speed signals and sets the ignition timing in accordance with the ignition tables to produce torque levels below the maximum capacity of the engine. If the sensed torque exceeds the torque level in the torque table, the ignition table value is adjusted by the ECU to maintain the preset torque limits. If the sensed torque level declines below the preset limit, the ECU adjusts the ignition table values to increase the torque level correspondingly but only when the throttle is sensed to be fully advanced.