I guess it depends on the race meet you go to. At my track there's a short interval between races, so I need three packs to run for the (half) day - any less and I wouldn't be able to charge in time for every race - so I'd need 3 LIPO packs, too. I guess if there's a much longer interval you could get away with one LIPO.
Obviously LIPOs are the better choice if you have loads of money to hand, but the OP asked what you would need to just get a feel for it. The startup cost of rc racing is vicious - getting a few cheap NIMH cells now, and buying LIPOs in a year or so's time is an attractive option for people who don't have wads of cash, or who aren't sure if they'll stay with it. I came back to rc racing about 6 months ago with cheap NIMH cells and some good quality second hand brushed kit, and it cost me well under half what picking up a LIPO/brushless setup would have - and I'm competitive at a club level. I'll think about picking up brushless and later some LIPOs in a few months, but no-one who is just starting out is going to want for performance with a NIMH pack and a cheapish charger/discharger, and it helps spread the cost.
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