With a little looking you can find less of a price. I'd highly recommend the advice to buy the first one before you build. Although it may not be set up for you or your liking, it won't take long for you to figure out things you'd do different. Things that would've been easier to get right the first time on a new build. I've been doing pretty good my first year with a bought mowchine (3rd points in our club), but what I've learned is what I do and don't want. If you know what you want going in, it's part of the design, if not, there's going to be a lot of back tracking and re building. Don't be afraid to spend a little money on a proven mowchine, it'll put you ahead of the curve in the long run, and that'll come at a price. If you are trying to be cheap, there are cheaper classes. Remember, racing isn't cheap, mower racing just happens to be cheaper than most things.