All need to do right now is learn and start 10 mass start races. If you can do that without crashing or causing a crash you have done very well.

Also look for "training" crits in your area. These allow you to hop back in if you get lapped and usually have very inexpensive entry fees. You can gets LOTS of "learning" doing these without going broke. Also it is normally a very low pressure environment so there will be a lot of mentoring and camaraderie. It also helps support the local racing community.