The absolute #1 rule is find out what the guys near you are flying, and build for that class. If they are flying some odd club rules, that's what you should do. If they fly SSC or B or whatever, that's what you should do. It really helps to find and talk to guys who are active in your area.

It's pointless to build a combat plane that you can't fly against the guys near by, after all.

Beyond that, it really doesn't matter all that much. A lot of people will suggest SSC because the planes are slower and the mid-air damage is usually less, but a lot of guys have trouble getting the .15 size engines to run right.

B class planes are generally easier to set up and keep running right, but the mid-air damage is higher when the do hit.

I normally wouldn't suggest starting with 2610 unless that's the most popular class in the area. The build time is longer, and there are fewer solid, proven kits available for that class.

Of course, a lot of this depends on your idea of "close" as well. Some guys think anything not at their home field is too far away. Depending on exactly where you are, you'll probably need to be willing to drive at least a little. For example, I was just down in your neck of the woods, in West Palm Beach flying 2610 and B class. The club there (and more importantly the guys running the contest) seem to prefer those two classes over SSC. So I doubt they will hold SSC contests. But I know there are some SSC contests farther north in FL and in GA.