I want to know the best way to get into road cycling with a $600 budget. My goal here is to be riding in the club races by next season, in the hopes to get sponsored for the season after that.

Do I:
1- buy an entry-level bike, last-year's-clearance type thing (probably Shimano Sora/Tiagra group)?
2- buy the Campy Xenon group and put it on a used but good frame that I'd buy with the leftover money?

Note: I want to buy local, to support the local bike shop for one and because I like to actually handle the merchandise that I will be buying. And I really can't spend anything more than $600 for the moment.

Thanks!
-S-