You have only been doing this a year? I thought much longer you seem to get around decent Well I can surely tell you it is not the Mohawk slowing you down. Maybe you need a killer moustache.
Chassis can come into play. The d8 may just not fit you style or the setup is way off. For us mere mortals adapting to just anything is not as doable. If you could then you would be pro!
Next time at the track remind me to let you drive my mugen. Will see if you feel anything different.