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The Teams

    Your first team, time to decide the fates of about half-dozen competitors and your sponsors that pay the bills. If you are an expansion league then there's little you can do about the quality of your competitors as everyone has exactly the same kind of talent pool to draw from as you do. In this case the only descisions you have are how many competitors you want in your roster, the numbers and types of vehicles to keep in your stables, and your mechanic staff.
    The size of your roster should be big enough to be able to man three of the vehicles in your stables through two games, but no more. That will give you enough people to rotate through so as not to have to fatigue your competitors no matter what events come up, as well as the ability to absorb a casualty or two along the way. Just remember that you cannot draft in additional competitors mid-season so you will need the few extras to cover for losses. If you have sufficient numbers you can even leverage some good deals out of the other teams in your league should they lose too many competitors during the season. Be sure to make them pay through the nose for them though, cause you know they'd do the same to you given the chance.
    If however you are an expansion team in an existing league then you have one additional option available; competitor trades with other players. Don't expect to be able to lure away thier star players, but keep an eye out for thier battered veterans and expect to pay through the nose. Or you can always just tough it out for your first season and shoot for that first-round draft pick to hopefully make a glorious return the following season.
    Your first vehicles should be pretty general-purpose, save your specialized machines for later when you can expand your stables somewhat. Just remember that these cars will have to be able to operate on-road and off-road so raising and lowering them isn't really a good idea IMHO. Although if you can afford the DPC the adjustable suspension option may give you an edge in certain events.
    The importance of your mechanic staff depends greatly on the endurance of your cars. If your vehicles carry large amounts of fuel and ammunition then being able to replenish it may not be so important. If, on the other hand you have so little fuel that you may be forced to pit every lap or once every heat then having the best staff you can buy is of the utmost importance. Myself, I suggest taking no less than a rating 3 mechanic staff. A rating 4 mechanic staff (if available to you) is extremely costly, but gives you an almost guarenteed pit. If you want the rating 4 mechanic I'd suggest waiting until mid-season after you have some money available to you, but definately go for it before the last race of the season just in case the needed sponsor leaves you for another team (since once you have them you can keep them as long as you can afford thier annual upkeep)

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