Still, I think selecting the race (including the ability to choose mechtron, if you so desire) and color at the beginning of each new game make it a little closer to the original game. Maybe make it when you join the game, and before the game officially starts, press C to change color, and R to change race? The default race doesn't have to change on the web site - that can just be what you join in as default.
(I know, I previously specified R before to Remove the last A.I., but the final details can be worked out

)