D_Bat, you mentioned Atlantic Auto Works and UCF. I take it from that you're in Melbourne, FL. Go over to Atlantic and introduce yourself to David Boles, the owner. Offer to do anything he wants, sweep floors, clean the race car, anything, if you can hang around and learn about IT Volkswagens. David is currently racing in H Production with a Scirocco, but he may still have some IT cars hanging around, his or customer's.
Your idea of autocrossing first is great. They aren't as tough about rules unless you start winning (in other words, they'll find a place for almost anything to race). Events are held several times a year near the community college in Palm Bay. Ask David for an old copy of
The Checker, Central Florida Region's magazine. It will have schedules, and also an application for an SCCA membership. That's the first thing you should get for your birthday or whatever. Then, go to scca.org, get the merchandise order form, and order the Solo II rule book for autocross and the GCR for road racing rules. Read them until they're falling apart.
Good luck.
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Don Horner
Port St. Lucie, FL
[email protected]