Hope you catch my answer. When you do a "Search" for races only, what you are searching for is a "Freeburn" online mode where someone is either in a race, just finished a race when you clicked, or a race has been setup. After a race is set up (By the Host player only), they decide when to start the race. So basically, you either wait for them to start a race, or you can start your own online match and set up a race yourself.

OK, now, to what I came here to say.

Burnout: Paradise is the best online racing experience I have ever had. I have had SO much fun completing challenges with friends and people I met online. You can't imagine without playing how much fun it is. There is just something so great about collaborating with good people to complete challenges. I've met a ton of great individuals on Burnout, and even better, I snapped their pictures (Or Mugshots), so I know what they look like (LiliDevil is SO Hot... I found myself taking her down just to snap another picture ).

I've said it repeatedly, and I'll say it again. If you aren't playing this, you are missing out on the best PS3 racing available right now. Best part? It only get's better as you gain more experience and learn the map.