Nathan,
It all depends what you want to do mate.
When you say race, as in grid racing like Improved Production or any "State series?"
Or supersprints etc with other clubs?
Doing any state rounds etc, Im pretty sure you'd need to modifiy the car in line with the rules and regs etc.
If you joined the SSCC, you can do their interclub series with the alfa,hsv and wrx clubs.
They do supersprints, hillclimbs and 'khana's. (these guys arent strict with mods and stuff!)
With their classing, Im fairly sure you would be in the SVD class.
I joined the SSCC and will be trying to get out to a few sprints.
Pads? check out the suspension/braking section - theres a brake pad user rating guide in there! All I have been using have been benedict's.
Cheers,
Chris
p.s. Steve, werent you meant to be joining the SSCC?!!?