[Ant]

A single disc clutch works okay for street use, but you can get a single plate with puck type linings or a series of what looks like brake pads attached to a disc, these work very well, a lot of rallye and race cars have used this system.
With std and HP normal lined single plate clutches I have had several loose their linings when you race them one of the main problems I had was is if the linings werent bonded and only riveted to the clutch plate, but I think they are better made nowadays!

Their is no comparison if you want to do some racing, any good Tilton AP or other make using ceramic base metallic linings should work okay, the only thing is you may have to replace your clutch discs every 2 - 3 years pending your driving, and using a flexplate or lighter flywheel allows the engine rev nice plus you havent got so much cast iron steel parts flying around that may separate.
I think you will find any good top factory performance cars use multi plate clutches eg. Porsche, Ferrari etc. I used a triple plate sintered bronze AP clutch on the road, I didnt get clutch slip and problems and it lasted surprisingly well providing you positive in your take-offs, but I wanted a compromise between the track and road use!