Drift Techniques for a Newb

[Flybert]

So I finally went to my first event this weekend, DD10, and I had an instructor show me some things and it helped me a good deal but I still am struggling. Can someone give some good advice to a newb drifter like myself. Here is my info:

Car: 240sx coupe Base model or "the lightweight model"
Suspension: Apexi N1 PRO, Tein Tie Rods, SPL Parts T/C, SPL parts RUCA
Engine: Stock KA with no AC
Tires that I used this weekend: Front=Potenza RE950 (grippy all season) Rear=Potenza RE930 (shitty all season)

RE930's chunked like a mofo. I had to bail at 12:00 because of this. My GF's stock Accord wheels didn't fit because of backspacing so i was SOL. I have come to the conclusion that I spent way too much time on the skid pad. It was a good experience though but I wish I could have gone on the main course when it was my second turn around.

I'm going to buttonwillow this friday and I ordered 4 AVS ES 100's and my RE950's are still good. What would you recomend that I use on the back. Should I go ES100's all around or put the all season in the back.

Now to the real question. When I was out there, at first I was having trouble with countersteering quick enough until an instructor rode with me. I watched him and he would countersteer very quickly by chucking the wheel and catching it. That seemed to work pretty good for me and it was much smoother, allowing me to get more sideways. Do you more experienced guys do this too or is it more gradual? Another thing I had a problem with is that I kept my foot on the throttle too much because of my lack of experiece. Blipping it while in the turn helped to keep me steady but I would forget sometimes and spin out. I just need more experience. I didn't use the handbrake much because it didn't feel natural and I don't have a drift knob to ensure that my brake is all the way down when I'm done with it (that happened the 2 times that I used it).

As for initiating the drift, I would steer out and then back in while clutch kicking. I have an open diff right now but I'm not really sure how this affects my drift because I have no experience with anything else.

Can you guys give me some more tips? I pick up on things kind of quick and I wish I could have ridden with people a little more so as to further my edumacation in drift if you know what I'm sayin.