Marshalling in the US of A?

[TrueBlueFlyer]

I'm cutting my trip to New Zealand short, and for the first time will have an opportunity to marshal back home in the States.

Firstly, I had forgotten that SCCA charges $30/year membership fee to become a marshal. Does the license we get sort of entitle us to enter racing as a competitor as well? Or are the membership fees higher for that privilege?

Second, once I pay I want to make sure I get the correct license. And to me it seems "national" level is the one I'm after. The FAQ on SCCA page states this would be determined at your local track, but as I live in the NYC metropolitan area there's no real home track and a few really good ones that are quite a drive away. I would imagine that events at Lime Rock, Watkins Glen and possibly New Jersey Motorsports Park would be all considered my local tracks. Even Summit Point might make the list. So is it reasonable to make requests or does everyone start at the bottom and work their way up eventually?

I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future, so will keep this thread going.

thanks,
--Russ