As Andy mentioned read the rules several times and try and have a mentor to explain how the start works, turnpoints and the finish so you don't take a zero.
Another Gotcha is make sure your computer is set to Statute Miles, Not Nautical miles. Both Andy and Hank have some real world advice in there, I'd head in that direction. If you treat your first few events as a cross country event rather than a contest you'll have more fun. Try not to bend anything and be safe.