No doubt, being "the underdog" is fun!

I'd hold off on the race tires for a bit longer, though. As you said, you're still learning. You'll learn more on tires with lower limits. Get better street tires for now, but stick with street tires. After you're sure you're wringing absolutely all that you can out of those tires, then you'll be ready to progress to race tires.

To combat your understeer problem, remember "slow in, fast out". Classic racing advice.

Hit me (or Jeremy or Charles or...) for a ride along sometime. You'd be amazed at the little things we can notice that will help you be faster.