More details would be helpful. Where are you located? What do others fly on your field? What type of budget do you have?

Short answer, don't wait to race. You can start this coming year in a local regional in sports class. You will learn more in the week than a year flying at your club. As long as you can fly a silver distance and are comfortable doing an off-field landing you can start racing. When you give more details we can help more with the plane.