When racing, you need practice to become competitive. Don't expect to be winning races from a day to another.
Because you have been drifting, you will have to adapt your driving style to suit racing.
In opposition to drift, when racing you have to choose the shortest path, and the one that allows you to be fastest entering and exiting the curbs.
First of all, concern on being steady, catch the racing line, braking and accelerating spots, and do not make mistakes, after that, you can concert on becoming faster.
Practice a lot, (preferably offline

) and don't be too agressive. You can also learn a track by spectating faster drivers, or even watching replays.
Anyway, you will find very rewarding as you will improve and make it with the pack, and later on discussing positions and even a win.
I think racing is just the best there is to do with lfs
