World Rally Championship

Until I got cable here in Japan, I had never heard of WRC. It's a racing circuit that pits drivers against each other as well as against the twists, turns, and hazards of real roads around the world. Tires, suspensions, steering systems, brakes, and engines are tested, broken, and proven in the course of a race series. It's not just about speed but also the driver's ability to control the car in a variety of unpredictable road situations.

It looks like a complete blast.

How would one get involved in this type of thing? Is there some sort of Rally School where graduates go on to compete in the WRC?