>>879606
Thank you, NOOT. Will do.
The guy at the shop was friendly, and other than the car ($65) and specific pair of rear tyres I needed ($5), is going to loan me a controller until I decide whether I want to continue with it or not.
The race series is limited to unmodified out-of-the-box Carrera cars, with the same rear tyres, so it should be a little fairer to noobs.
The Webber and 88 flags are a good omen.