Roll on Dunemaul, PVP server, send a tell to Maei or Molech, I'll help ya out.
Basic idea is to have fun with a few different classes, but don't get burnt out as most classes are pretty boring til 10 or so (you get talent points at 10 to kinda customize your character, and it gives you something to look forward to every level [Where will I put this next talent point?] and most classes have a class-defining ability granted by a Level 10 quest (i.e. at 10 you can quest to get a pet as a Hunter, or your first Demon as Warlock, etc)
I would honestly suggest Horde (I hear a lot of crying over many kids playing Alliance, and you will get harassed a bunch most likely for picking the 'easier' of the two factions... I won't go into it here, but I honestly do hear people calling alliance easier than horde moreso than vice versa, so I figured I'd throw that out there. Also, I'd suggest a PVP server... If you like PVP at all. Sure, you'll get ganked, but hopefully you can take it in stride (and not get super pissed and throw stuff / quit game, like some people I've known, it happens) and have it just psych you up for ganking in your future, or just regular PVP, I donno.
Hunters are pretty easy to play, also pretty powerful end-game if played right... However, so many people choose it because of this, its kinda a bland choice for that reason- lots of em.
Locks, same about... I have a Warlock, its so-so. Very powerful end game, will always be harassed for being overpowered, and eventually nerfed, probably.
Warriors / Rogues... beat stuff up. Option of tanking! I like WoW tanking...
Druids let you do a lot of fun stuff, jack of all trades kinda... Different forms so you can do different things. Bear form = tanking, Cat Form = Rogue (DPS), can be nature-damage spellcaster, or healer, etc.
Everything has its pro's and con's, wish I could simply say 'try them all' but do keep in mind most classes are boring before Lv10 so don't burn yourself out playing every class to like level 8 thinking the game blows
As far as racials go... there's not a big disparity at all. Some classes get really powerful racials (i.e. Undead's Will of the Forsaken breaks fear, which is pretty big for some end game PVE instances as well as PVP) whereas some are pretty lame (Trolls berserking.. Increases attack speed... but unfortunately its lame most of the time, and gets better as your HP gets lower... which is close to never. Bust it when you're almost dead and you die and get little use out of it, use it when you're low in a group and get healed, etc). Tauren's HP buff is about as close as you can get to a FFXI-esque racial stat disparity, definitely consider Tauren if you want to tank, 5% or whatever it is is pretty beefy now that tanks get upwards of 20k HP. Um.. will edit as I think of more. PM or msg me in game definitely though if you want more advice / info / whatev. Can help you start up a character no problem if you decide to be horde on Dunemaul, send a tell to an above name.