The System Center Configuration Manager TechCenter has launched today as the product is in the Release Candidate (RC) stage.  You can download and try the RC software (on Microsoft Connect), read the preliminary version of the online documentation, try the virtual lab, and view the webcasts.

TechCenter: http://technet.microsoft.com/configmgr/default.aspx

When the product releases to manufacturing, there will be availability to the trial software and a TechNet Forum (for Community involvement).