Andy, where are you based? If you have a competitor nearby it is handy to have someone to call on for a bit of advice if you do decide to join the championship. I my first year (2018), I joined class 4, and didn't worry about who would be in the class with me (I also attended the intro day and decided there and then to join too). I thought about making changes to my car before the season started, but decided against it, and to get some experience first so I could work out what was right for me, and what impact any changes would have. So I just showed up to the first event, with my car in road spec more or less, with a petty strut fitted and the windscreen still on. There is a lot of experience in the paddock, and over the course of the first season I learned a lot, and had a brilliant time. There were a few competitors in class 4, but actually my main battle for the year was with Mike Cocker, and that made the year for me, as I had a like minded competitor who I could have close battles with. As mentioned above, you compare yourself to other classes too, so there is always a competitor around. If you have not competed before, you will also have fellow novices to compete against for your own championship. I completed my second season this year, and now know a lot more than I did for that first event but am still learning all the time, and am glad I took the plunge. By the way, I am in class 3 now, and now use a HANS, and in my case, my car did not require adjustment.