Race -> Team Trials is considered 'fake' PVP where you're racing against shadow copies of other players but it's really a dog and pony (ha) show where you don't strictly need to win but you want to demonstrate skill usage and other things to earn points. The points you get is universally ranked for rewards every period.

Upcoming and what all the tryhards are building for is Champion Meet, which is Actual PVP where you just need to win, though even if you play it and lose you get something.