yes it does

i know an engine builder who uses standard EEC-IV gasket with wire ringing and reckons it's bombproof

IF all surfaces are flat then a gasket should last IMO, i just removed mine when i started the engine rebuild and it was a standard gasket, and was in good condition.

i asked my tuner ultimately what the best choice for me would be, and he told me;

Multilayer WRC (£350 4layer, best choice by far if budget will allow)
GrpA ( £60 but will need regular checks for failure )
GrpA with wire ringing ( £160 all in.will cope with 450-500bhp , so will be fine for my 380ish

i also learnt recently from another source that back in the touring car days they ran without a head gasket