I know what you are saying about practice, but in my short time racing I found different tracts are so different many of the tricks you found worked at the practice track would not work at this track anyway. It took me 3 nights racing and asking / listening to the advice on this site to get into the pack. I did not think that was to bad, and I improved enough every race to find it enjoyable even though I was at the back (behind the back to be more accurate). Take the advice. Have fun. Give yourself time to learn and adjust.