The Rocket Racing LeagueŽ has been developing a two-stage approach to the evolutionary concepts of rocket powered racing. The first phase, called "Tier-1 Racing", is defined as Grand Prix-style racing utilizing rocket powered aircraft in a closed course with single pilot vehicles conducting laps and pit-stops for the purpose of winning a race. The second phase, "Tier-2 racing," is defined as a race between X PRIZE-class spaceships able to fly to an altitude above 100KM; such vehicles compete in a number of categories including, maximum altitude, cross ranges and turn-around time.

The Rocket Racing LeagueŽ also envisions a time when a Tier-3 class of race events will capture the attention of the world. While further off in the future, the concept calls for orbital race campaigns circling the earth, or some significant portion of it. Consider a race zone containing a more expansive volume of airspace stretching to sub-orbital altitudes that ultimately evolves into a track that envelopes the Earth. The Rocket Racing LeagueŽ envisions a future in which a race begins with a fleet of sponsor-branded spaceships on a spaceport tarmac in the New Mexican desert, extends through the atmosphere into low earth orbit, circles the Earth one or more times, executes a high-speed re-entry and ultimately returns to the spaceport tarmac to the applause and awe of tens, if not hundreds, of millions of spectators, worldwide.

In a Tier 1 race, ten or more X-Racers will navigate a 3-dimensional course featuring a series of both real and virtual obstacles, in a block of airspace approximately 10,000 feet long, 3,000 wide and 5,000 feet high. The same technology that superimposes a first down line on a football field will provide an extensive virtual course for the enjoyment of both television viewers at home and the live audience through JumbotronŽ screens. Pilots will navigate the course through the use of a GPS system and a heads-up display. This virtual course may be supplemented with real obstacles such as inflatable pylons and balloons, as well as spotlights and lasers during nighttime races.