There are plenty of sprints in the SE(ish) if you don't want to drive huge distances to do the L7Club events. Some cracking venues, such as Lydden, Goodwood, Longcross and Hethel, and some slightly less-than-cracking-but-good-for-the-beginner (such as North Weald). For some calendars see here, here and here.
I'm not trying to dissuade you from doing the L7Club champs., just making you aware of all the possibilities.
Mike