Jake,
There are a bunch of great guys there at SpeedWorld to help you out. Just email/call Jim Allen or Gary Schmidt and they can get you started. It would be great to see you there in AMA 424 next month.
I started there also, and had a lot of fun then. I will be back next month and looking forward to kicking some butts this time. After all, I learned most of it from Jim Allen, chasing him around the course back then.
Let me know if I can be of any assistant to you.
As for the servos... use what Randy B. prescribed or go with all Hitec stuff from 555 Mini Receivers to Mini HS 225 and HS85 Servos. Hope this help.