I'm just a lil' stayin on the porch dog. You big dogs can get it on, but z28psi, I would clarify your boast of "from a roll". If he's taking you to a road course, and is offering to step down to touring, it sounds to me like you are being invited to a very nice dinner party....by a shark. An accomplished r/c driver should beat beat a novice every single time, regardless of car. In fact, A really good road course driver should win in a rental car, vs. drag car.
Good luck to both. Should be interesting no matter.