I was just wondering since this is my first foray into this type of racing if it would be better to start out in Auto X and then graduate up into ITR?

This has been suggested to me by several people.

My only concern is that I could get into it but it seems that in the NW there aren't a lot of AutoX races at all.

Anyone got any info on races in the NW (I am in Portland, OR) and is it the best and most cost effective way to get into this type of racing?

Pardon my ignorance but then if I knew it all I wouldn't learn anything.