Ok, after trying it out, the best way I've been able to make a "burnout" type of effect is:

1. First, check this page in the Maya 4.5 docs:
C:\Program Files\AliasWavefront\Maya4.5\docs\en_US\html\UserG uide\Dynamics\Emitters14.html

2. Using a greyscale ramp to controll particle emition rate, you should be able to achive decent results in combination with AIR and TURBULENCE field connections.