short and simple.... your attitude matters much more than your drivign ability.

now over time, if you cannot improve at all, there are issues you need to work out- cant blame it all on the stock/ almsot stock setup because pleanty of us have driven near or totally stock and done fine. There is a ceiling you hit though without the basics, (susp, tires) and then once you hit the next, its time for a diff, and some power.

the competitive nature of america is what is making people advance their skill, to 'out do' the other guy is essentially the point when you get down to drifting. at the local events there are the folks who bash on those who are learning, but mainly those are non-driving pricks who probably drive automatic 1995 neons. lol.

as long as you have a open ear and can take criticism, you should be fine. the worst thing you can do is try TOO HARD to be cool (ie going too fast for yourself, pushing too hard and wrecking/spinning several times a lap) or shit talk like your the man. we all have laps where we spin, sometimes more than once, just learn something and next time try it different.

good luck