Road rallying is a great way to start, and i know a lot fo the top boys prefer it over stageing.
As GJH will probably vouch, Merion Evans of wales motorsport fabrication is big into his road rallying, and has a monster pinto'd 4 door mk2.
Its very competitive and cracking fun, from there on, as said, its single venues, and anything after that is £££££££££££££.