Best way to learn is have a pro show you how it should be done, then practice. If you're building a second buggy give me a shout before you guys start the welding. I'm the foreman at a fab shop and have 20 years of welding (MS, alloys, Aluminum, most of my welding the last 10 years has been NDT) and fab experience. At the very least i can get you guys headed the right direction...
PM me if you're interested.
Rene