How do you do the "first messages"? (the ones that start up when you logon to an online race)

You mean server welcome messages ? You need InSim mod that is capable to do that. I think there are 3 such mods: AutoMessage (author is Crazy Ice), RaceManager (author is Silkswift - not sure if you can change text though) and LFSLapper (by me ).

thanks M8