Dan: I'll fill in your location on the profile if you don't mind - unless you go to the profile page of registration and beat me to it. Thanks for joining the Forum.
My suggestion for your first important thing to do when embracing our disease -- is to go to at least one (if not many) LSR event(s) as soon as possible. Go to spectate, to learn, to meet people, and enjoy the coolest thing since sliced doorknobs (hunh?).
Go without a vehicle to race -- 'cause you'd be too busy trying to get it ready to run and not have the time to do all of the visiting, bench racing, learning, and enjoying that's such a big part of the sickness. You'll be able to learn one and a third tons of stuff that will directly relate to whatever it is that you build - and you'll find that damn near every one of us will be willing and happy to share answers to your (dumb new guy) questions. Don't worry too much -- we've all done that very same thing and it's okay - you'll enjoy it years from now when another newbie asks you questions.
Welcome again. See you on the salt, or the pavement, or on the dirt.