I'm impressed with the NTM on the V8... I too had the problem that this thing just would not turn in no matter how flimsy the bars were... Then I read in the forums to really control your braking to keep weight shifting smooth... Lo and behold, it turns!
Baseline is still shit, just managed to get into the 1:37s with that (doesn't help that I'm slow either)...
I never had any problem with braking in any sim, so the fact that it does make a difference and I now have to look out for that too is a huge plus for iRacing in my book...