Damn Trip, if I didn't know you were only 17 I would say it sounds like you have been doing this car thing for a while !!!

But seriously, what Trip said is right. Don't worry so much about the car for right now. On more than one occasion people have come out to one of the local events, both young and old, with cars that are fast (or just look fast), with little or no auto-x experience, expecting to do real well. Then they get all upset when a guy in a slightly modified Civic beats the crap out of them.

Just go out there, meet some people, and have a good time. Pretty much everybody is very approachable and can answer questions you may have or even take you for a ride.

BTW Trip, it seems like you have been spending quite a bit of time at VIR since you got your car, how are your tires doing ?!?!?!