[Perfectlap]

definitely go the Evo school/Autocross route before investing bigger dollars into a more well known school like Russell, Barber etc.
You'll learn all the same fundamentals at your local Autocross at a fraction and the instructors are all willing to give you all the advice you want. A tremendous bargain for an afternoon of $50.
After about 6 or 7 events I might consider a set of dedicated tires and wheels. You'll get all of your mistakes taken care of with your "cheap" tires and save your new dedicated tires on perfecting your skills.
Or in some cases your street tires might be the expensive ones that you don't want to tear up. Some of these autocross lots are like cheese graters. I definitely have to go easy on my Toyo RA-1's on some of the venues around here. One afternoon of going too hard and their cooked.