I myself Have a 9.5 pro PBS front and rear. Like they said club racing is not like pro racing. Its about having fun with what you have and still trying for a win. You skills will be the big factor. Just practice and get good with what you are running. If you happen to come into some money for a new buggy by all means upgrade but focus and the now. I just ordered the Hyper 8.5 big bore shocks for mine.
But I am the guy that would rather dump money into an old kit to make an "underdog" racer rather than buying the latest and gratest.

But like STZ said tires are a make or brake race mod. Look into it.

Good luck and I hope all works out in the end.