The Auto Racing Pyramid (Cars)

Another one of my British, scathing attacks you may think.

However, I have seen a few things lately suggesting deviations from this order, so here I will explain the hierachy of all motor sport.

Tier 1

Formula One - Formula One is simply the trade name given to the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships. They began in 1950, when the World's governing body wanted to decide a car World Champion. They took the Grand Epreuves of the time, i.e. the major races from the 40 race calendar, which would carry the honour of national Grands Prix. Over the years, the non-championship races collapsed, and left us with the Formula One that we have today. The Indy500 was on the calendar, and a United States Grand Prix replaced it later.

Tier 2

GP2 - The direct feeder system for Formula One, this championship is generally where most F1 teams look for drivers. It replaced the previous Formula Two, Three and 3000 series, and combined them all. F1 drivers with long careers tend to miss this stop on the way down.

Tier 3

You know what they all are. These tend to be used by US drivers, or by non-US drivers whose careers have stalled in the non-US events. E.g. Mansell, Fittipaldi, Zanardi, and now recently Montoya.

Tier 4

DTM - Another series used by youngsters trying to progress, or F1 drivers dropping down, (e.g. Alesi, Hakkinen). The series is held mainly in Germany, but has used tracks such as Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, Donington Park, Zandvoort, Hungaroring, A1 Ring, Zolder and other tracks in Italy from time to time.
V8 Supercars - Less of a feeder series for F1, the V8 Supercars is the Premier Race Class in Australia and New Zealand. The season is 10 or so races, and makes use of Australia's variety of great tracks, e.g. Eastern Creek, Phillip Island, Adelaide, Queensland Raceway, Melbourne and many more.
British Touring Car Championship - The lowest standard of the three, the BTCC is used by drivers dropping down, or drivers trying to progress up the ladder. The series goes to the tracks such as Donington Park, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and other great tracks in Britain and Ireland. This could be found in a Tier 5, but I had no intention of putting a fifth tier on.