The cars do act a bit more "Realistic" since the update. The Terrain has also been affected as well, I think. I notice that on sand, cars are harder to control.
I crash all the time. Anyone that burns with me will know that I am always the one that crashes. Not because I'm bad, but because I push the car right to the limits (and sometimes beyond

)
Being a good racer requires a few things... A Big TV, the ability to read the traffic, and fully understand their car. People often drive only one car because they know how it handles.
Also what they see, might be different to what you see. If you are following someone, I bet you are focusing on which way they'll turn next, while the player infront is focusing on the corner and what is just around it. So when he suddenly turns, you have to make that millisecond decision, "Do I, or Don't I Follow him."
The other thing, when throwing a ball around between friends, you look for the person, and throw the ball at them. You focus, throw, then hit the target, Right?!?
Now what happens if you drift a corner and see a car. You look at the car, break out of the drift, and BANG! You hit your target.
Basically what I'm saying is keep all obsticles in your preferial vision, and focus on a clear run, always keep a mental image of what's around you, and always keep a good focus point.