My Dad and I built a kart to spec but didn't race it, only drove for fun and skill. Luckily I had no idea there were so many levels of expertise as you speak of. Helluva way to learn to drive though! By the time I got full control of an automobile all my wild urges had been satisfied.

If I'd met someone like you describe I'd have challenged him to a race: what else is there but to learn!

And so much of life is necessarily chance - so go for it!