[drunken monkey]

it's not harder or easier; it's just different and even then, I'm not sure it is all that different at all.
as it is, they are trying to promote amatuer racing here so the entry method is better organised. Most of the racing clubs are based on a track and even the closest one to me is about an hour away from me. Training weekends and race on the day events cost about £2000-£2500 so it's about the same as it is for you.
As I might've said before somewhere, the only difference is that there seem to be more amateur level racing events here even some pro/semi-pro events that you can buy-in with a relatively low budget where you can race against some names.

and no, I can't agree on pc games being anything like a stepping stone.
a few questions for you.

have you taken any advance driving lessons?
have you had any skid-pan lessons?
have you asked about getting a race licence?
have you been on any track days?
have you done any organised racing?