LEARN BY BUILDING
Make the theory
take the wheel.
Connect algorithms, control, or machine learning to a working driver. See how each decision changes its behaviour on the track.
YOUR CODE.
FULL THROTTLE.
Build your AI driver.
Master the virtual track.
Race for the fastest time.
01STANDARD
CAR
CAR
02DIVISIONS
100%AUTONOMOUS
THE COMPETITION
THE MACHINE.
YOUR MIND.
One circuit. Two approaches.
It all comes down to your code.
Sorcery AI Racing League is a virtual autonomous racing competition by Data Sorcerers. We provide the car, the simulator, and the track. You build the mind behind the wheel.
From the logic you engineer to the neural network you train. Test your strategy, master every corner, and prove your performance.
MORE THAN A FAST LAP
WHY JOIN
SARL?
Turn what you know into something that moves. Build, test, and explain a driver that makes decisions of its own.
Make the theory
BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO
Show the work
behind the result.
Create a project you can demonstrate: your driver, your experiments, and a clear explanation of the choices you made.
TEST YOUR THINKING
Find the edge
in your approach.
Explore the trade-offs between speed, control, and consistency. Measure improvements and put your strategy to the test.
Curiosity is your starting point. Code is how you move forward.
Find your track
FIND YOUR TRACK
TWO APPROACHES.
YOUR STARTING LINE.
Start with the way you like to solve problems. Engineer the rules yourself, or train a neural network to make the call.
01CLASSICAL CONTROL
SPELLCRAFT
LOGIC DRIVERS TRACK
“I like designing the logic.”
Choose Spellcraft if you enjoy equations, algorithms, and understanding exactly why your controller makes each move.
Your race-time driver uses rules and classical control.
PID / Pure Pursuit / Model Predictive Control
Explore Spellcraft
02LEARNING-BASED DRIVING
NEURALCRAFT
NEURAL DRIVERS TRACK
“I like learning through experiments.”
Choose Neuralcraft if you enjoy training models, testing rewards or demonstrations, and improving a learned driving policy.
A trained neural network influences the driving decisions.
Deep RL / Imitation Learning / Neuroevolution
Explore NeuralcraftThe same car. Equal observations. Separate rankings for each division.
Using a hybrid approach or genetic algorithm?
Choose by what runs during the race. A genetic algorithm that tunes a classical controller fits the proposed Spellcraft rules. A trained neural network that plans or controls the car belongs in Neuralcraft, including hybrid systems.
Compare the track requirementsTHE SARL FILM / 2026
EVERY DECISION.
COUNTS.
From your first line of code to the starting grid. Build an autonomous driver and take on the SARL challenge.
RACE PREVIEW
SEE THE DRIVER.
READ THE DECISIONS.
Follow a virtual car through the circuit. See the racing line, sensor observations and control inputs that bring an autonomous driver to life.
WHAT YOU’LL BUILD
A DRIVER THAT RUNS.
A PROJECT THAT SPEAKS.
Bring your approach to life with code, experiments, and a story you can back up with evidence.
YOUR DRIVER / YOUR WORK
my-sarl-driver/
- controller/
- The decisions behind the wheel
- experiments/
- The tests behind each improvement
- report.md
- The thinking behind your approach
- model/ NEURALCRAFT
- Weights and a model card for your policy
Example structure, not the final submission specification.
Your autonomous driver.
Turn vehicle observations into steering, throttle, and braking. Build with classical control or a trained neural model.
Your evidence of progress.
Compare runs, inspect telemetry, and record what changed. Show where your approach improves and where it still struggles.
Your engineering story.
Explain your design, experiments, and trade-offs in a technical report. Shape it into a project you can demonstrate and discuss.
START WITH ONE DECISION.
Try the controller preview today. Official simulator and SDK release TBA.THE SEASON / 2026
EARN YOUR PLACE.
OWN THE FINAL.
Four online race weeks lead to a 20-entry final in Central Java. Your next three days: build an AI from scratch, qualify for your grid position, and race for the fastest time.
RACE WEEK 01
50 entries maximum
TOP 5TO THE FINAL ↗
RACE WEEK 02
50 entries maximum
TOP 5TO THE FINAL ↗
RACE WEEK 03
50 entries maximum
TOP 5TO THE FINAL ↗
RACE WEEK 04
50 entries maximum
TOP 5TO THE FINAL ↗
18DEC
2026
2026
BUILD FROM ZERO.
Build your AI from scratch for a new track determined by the organizer. A fresh challenge for all 20 finalists.
19DEC
2026
2026
QUALIFY. EVALUATE. REFINE.
Qualifying times determine the starting grid. Evaluate your machine and tune your driver ahead of the final.
20DEC
2026
2026
THE GRAND PRIX.
Race with your refined driver. The fastest valid recorded race time wins.
WHO CAN ENTER
BUILD YOUR TEAM.
TAKE THE GRID.
SARL 2026 welcomes active higher-education students across Southeast Asia. Your campus and major can differ. What matters is that you can build, understand and explain the code behind your driver.
ACTIVE STUDENTS
D4/applied bachelor’s, S1/bachelor’s and S2/master’s students, or local equivalents.
TEAMS OF 2–4
Cross-campus, cross-country and cross-major teams are welcome.
ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS
Public and private universities, institutes, colleges and polytechnics. Non-degree bootcamps are excluded.
FREE THROUGH THE FINAL
No entry fee. Meals and refreshments are provided onsite; travel, accommodation and personal expenses remain with each team.
Check eligibility ↗
Suspicious payment request? Report it to the organizer.
THE JOURNEY
ROAD TO THE GRID.
From your first line of code
to the finish line in Central Java.
- 01 / DISCOVER
OCT 2026
Roadshow & pre-event program
Seminars, webinars, campus visits and info sessions.Explore Events ↗ - 02 / JOIN THE GRID
EARLY NOV
Registration opens
Teams of 2–4 eligible students · Exact date TBA. - 03 / EARN YOUR PLACE
4 RACE WEEKS
Online qualification
Up to 50 entries per week. Top 5 each week advance. Dates TBA. - 04 / THE FINAL 20
18—20 DEC
In-person final · Central Java
Build from zero. Qualify and refine. Race the Grand Prix.
October pre-events · Early November registration · Four online race weeks, dates TBA · 18–20 December final. Exact venue TBA.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
GREAT MINDS.
STRONGER TOGETHER.
Help the next generation of AI builders reach the grid. Join the organizations making room for new ideas, new talent, and a new kind of racing.
Explore sponsorship2026 PARTNERSHIPSYOUR BRAND.
YOUR BRAND.
PART OF THE JOURNEY.
Our sponsor and partner lineup will be announced here.
Let’s build the next chapterBEFORE THE LIGHTS GO OUT
GOOD TO
KNOW.
01Who can take part?
SARL 2026 is open to active D4/applied bachelor’s, S1/bachelor’s and S2/master’s students, or their local equivalents, enrolled at an accredited higher-education institution in Southeast Asia. Teams may include students from different institutions and study programs. Bootcamps and similar non-degree providers are not eligible institutions. See Rules & Handbook for the full criteria.
02Do I need AI or racing experience?
Real-world racing experience is not needed to explore the concept. Programming fundamentals will help you build and debug a controller. Spellcraft focuses on engineered logic and control; Neuralcraft requires a meaningful learned neural component. The Developer Hub currently offers an educational controller preview.
03What is the difference between Spellcraft and Neuralcraft?
Spellcraft is the Logic Drivers Track: you engineer decisions using rules, equations, optimization and classical control. Neuralcraft is the Neural Drivers Track: a trained neural component must meaningfully influence driving. Both use equivalent vehicles and evaluation scenarios. Compare the methods in Track Details.
04Is the competition online or in person?
The four race weeks are online. The 20-entry final is held in person in Central Java, Indonesia, on 18–20 December 2026. The exact venue and attendance arrangements will be announced.
05When and how can I register?
Registration is planned for early November 2026; the exact opening date is TBA. Qualification runs across four online race weeks, with dates to be announced. Entries are not being accepted yet. Check registration status and Race Centre for updates.
BUILD THE MIND. WIN THE RACE.