Autocrossing will keep a massive amount of money in your pocket compared to RR.

 

I personally recommend HPDE, for one AutoX is 99% waiting around hours to drive for 4 minutes.


OP, I'm down in Houston too, I do most of my HPDE with thedriversedge.net

If you want to drive with them, PM and I'll walk you through the entire process and go down to the track and get you registered and we can be paddock buddies for the whole weekend.
I'm actually going to MSRH again on the 19th & 20th, the event is full but you can still come down to the paddock to watch, catch rides with the advanced drivers and instructors and drive your car on track during the parade lap to at least give you a visual reference on what to expect.

The first time I went I was nervous as crap. It can be very overwhelming at first.


Things to bring with you: Torque wrench. (check your lug nuts fairly often over the course of the weekend)
an extra bottle of oil, coolant, a cooler with water/gatorade.

Painters tape for numbers (or pre-purchase vinyl numbers)
If you're new to an organization you'll be assigned numbers when you sign up. You can then request a permanent number if you want.

The most basic concepts for a beginner is brake in a straight line & you'll be fine.


EDIT
Yes this too. As a beginner it won't be so bad but as your skill progresses your consumables stop lasting very long at all.
I replace my tires after 3 events, brake pads after 3 - 5 events, change oil after 4 - 6.

Then you account for the fees, thedriversedge.net is 355 for green students for the weekend
then you have a hotel, HPDE insurance if you want it. (I get it for my car)
I did the math, I spend about 17,560 a year doing HPDE but thats doing an event every month.