I agree with your almost a curse sentiment. My interest in fast cars, BMWs in my case, is a blessing and a curse. But HPDE gave me a "safe" (for others) out and I took it.

It's expensive. So, FWIW, buy a car that's really reliable and parts relatively inexpensive so you can spend your money on track time and not the car. I have an F80 M3 dual purpose car and would have got an older dedicated track car (E46 maybe) if I ever got to do it all over again.

I doubt I'll ever get to Nurburging, too far and too expensive, but I've had a lot of fun on some relatively small and simpler tracks. Turns out I like the skill needed and experience of nailing a turn more than I like raw speed on a straight.