Thanks for the advice.  I went ahead with the O.S. as everything I read is that they are great for a newcomer, it has a good rebate so the initial investment is relatively small, and I won't cry so bad when I blow it up (think positive, think positive).

I may be in the back of the pack to start out, but once I get my feet under me I can upgrade to a race spec motor and drop some coin on it.  Then I will assuredly be running in the back part of the middle of the pack/front of the back of the pack... 

Thanks again for all your help.