# Join an AWS DeepRacer race
<a name="deepracer-racing-series"></a>

After successfully training and evaluating your model in simulation, compare your model's performance to other racers' models by participating in a race. Racing is a fun way to get feedback about your model, win awards and prizes, meet other AWS DeepRacer community members, hear about opportunities to learn and improve your skills, and have fun. 

Races can be in-person or online (virtual) and virtual races can be formatted synchronously as *LIVE* races or asynchronously as *classic* races. LIVE and classic virtual races can be broadcast privately or publicly. 

This section discusses how to participate in an AWS DeepRacer League Virtual Circuit race or a community-based virtual race and your different options for formatting. 

## AWS DeepRacer racing event types
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 An event can be categorized by its sponsor or organizer. Both AWS DeepRacer League and community racing events can take place in person on a physical track or online on a virtual track. 
+  **AWS-sponsored racing events** – Racing events sponsored by AWS are referred to as AWS DeepRacer League events and are open to any AWS DeepRacer users. First-time racers can start their league journey by joining a monthly virtual race. Once a racer has submitted a model to the race, they earn points and will receive their national and regional season standings. 
+  **Community-sponsored racing events** – Racing events created by AWS DeepRacer users are called community racing events. 

## Joining an online AWS-sponsored or community-sponsored race
<a name="Invitation"></a>

 You can use the AWS DeepRacer console to enter an AWS DeepRacer League Virtual Circuit event or a community-based online race. 
+  Any AWS DeepRacer user can join a AWS DeepRacer League Virtual Circuit online race. 
+  Only invited users can access or participate in community racing virtual events. Users are invited when they receive an invitation link sent by the race organizer or forwarded by another race participant. 

**Topics**
+ [Join an AWS DeepRacer League Virtual Circuit race](deepracer-submit-model-to-leaderboard.md)
+ [To join a AWS DeepRacer community race](deepracer-join-community-race.md)
+ [Participate in an AWS DeepRacer LIVE race](deepracer-participate-live-race.md)
+ [Racing event terminology](deepracer-basic-concept.md#racing-event-terminology)

# Join an AWS DeepRacer League Virtual Circuit race
<a name="deepracer-submit-model-to-leaderboard"></a>

 In this section, learn how to use the AWS DeepRacer console to submit your trained model to a Virtual Circuit race. 

**To enter the AWS DeepRacer League Virtual Circuit**

1.  Sign in to the [AWS DeepRacer console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/deepracer). 

1.  From the main navigation pane, choose **AWS Virtual Circuit**. 

1.  On the **AWS Virtual Circuit** page, under the **Open races** section, choose **Enter race**. 

1.  If this is your first time participating in an AWS DeepRacer League racing event, set your alias in **Racer name** under **AWS DeepRacer League racer name**. 

1.  Under **Choose model**, select the model you want to use from the **Model** list. Ensure that your model has been trained to handle the track shape. 

1. If this is your first time participating in an AWS DeepRacer League event, under **League requirements**, select your **Country of residence**. Once you select your country of residence and submit your first model, it is locked in for the racing season and will be verified when prizes are awarded. Then, accept the terms and conditions by selecting the checkbox.

1.  Choose **Enter race** to complete the submission. The submission quota for each race is 50. 

    After your model is submitted, the AWS DeepRacer console starts its evaluation. The process can take up to 10 minutes. 

1.  On the race page, review the race details. 

1.  On the race page, note your submission status under your racer name. 

1.  On the race page, view the ranking list on the leaderboard to see how your model compares with others. 

    If your model doesn't finish the track in three consecutive trials, it is not included in the ranking list on the leaderboard. Your leaderboard ranking reflects your best performing submission. You also receive a national and regional season standings to gauge where you rank amongst other racers in your country and region. 

    After you submit a model, try improving its performance by refining your reward function and iterating on your model. You can also train a new model with a different algorithm or action space. Learn, adjust, and race again to increase your chances for rewards. 

# To join a AWS DeepRacer community race
<a name="deepracer-join-community-race"></a>

**Note**  
 To join an AWS DeepRacer community race, you first need to receive a link to the race from the race organizer. 

 When you receive an invitation to join an AWS DeepRacer race, find out whether it's a *LIVE *or *classic* race. 

** Classic race **  
 Classic races are asynchronous events that do not require real-time interaction. Your invitation link gives you access to submit a model to the race and view the leaderboard. You can submit unlimited models at any time within the race's opening and closing dates to achieve your best standing on the leaderboard. Results and videos for classic races are viewable for submitted models on the Leaderboard page as soon as the race is initiated. All classic races are private events. 

** LIVE race **  
 LIVE races are real-time racing events where you gather virtually with other racers taking turns to compete for the fastest time on the leaderboard. You can enter multiple models, but only the last model you submit before the submission window closes will be used. During your race, you have the option to try interactive speed controls, which temporarily override your model’s speed parameters giving you the opportunity to make strategic, real-time adjustments. LIVE races can be broadcast privately among invited racers or publicly for anyone to see. 

 If the competition format is not specified in your invitation, check your race card. LIVE races say, "LIVE," and tell you the date and time of the synchronous event. Classic races give you the date range for the asynchronous competition. 

![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/live-and-classic-race-cards.png)


## Join an AWS DeepRacer community race as a race participant
<a name="join-community-race-as-existing-racer"></a>

 If you're new to AWS and receive an invitation to join an AWS DeepRacer community race, follow the steps in **To join as a new user**. If you're invited to an active community race and you've entered an AWS DeepRacer race before, follow the steps below in **To join a Classic race ** or **To join a LIVE race** as is appropriate for your competition format. 

### To join as a new user
<a name="deepracer-join-community-race-new-user"></a>

 If you're new to AWS and receive an invitation link to join an AWS DeepRacer community race, choose the link to go to the AWS DeepRacer console and then sign up for an AWS account before proceeding to join the race. 

As a new AWS DeepRacer user or a first-time participant to any AWS DeepRacer race, follow the steps to join a community race in the AWS DeepRacer console. 

**To join a race as a new user**Join an AWS DeepRacer Community Race as a New AWS DeepRacer user

1.  Create an AWS account in the [ AWS DeepRacer console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/deepracer). 

1.  Once you are set up and signed in, choose the link shared with you by the race organizer to open the Race page. 

1.  When prompted to create an **AWS DeepRacer racer name**, enter a name that you will use as identification across all the AWS DeepRacer leaderboards. Once you choose a racer name, you cannot change it. 

1.  On the Race details page, expand **Get started racing**. 

1.  Choose **Get started with RL** to get a quick introduction to training an AWS DeepRacer model for autonomous driving. 

1.  Train and evaluate your model for the race in the AWS DeepRacer console. 

    For more information on training your model, see [Train your first AWS DeepRacer model](deepracer-get-started-training-model.md). 

1.  Navigate to **Community races**. 

1.  Find the race you're invited to. Choose **Enter race** on the race card.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/deepracer-community-race-welcome-enter.png)

1.  Follow the steps in **To join a Classic race** or **To join a LIVE race** as is appropriate for your race's competition format. 

### To join a classic race
<a name="deepracer-join-classic-community-race"></a>

1.  Select the link you received from the race organizer. If you're not already signed in to your account in the [ AWS DeepRacer console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/deepracer), you'll be prompted to sign in. 

1.  Once signed in to the AWS DeepRacer console, the link will take you to the Race page. The Race page displays the race details, leaderboard, and your racer info. Choose **Enter race**.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/enter-community-race-classic.png)

1.  On the **Enter race** page, under **Choose model**, choose a trained model and then choose **Enter race**.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/choose-a-model-enter-classic-race.png)

1.  If your model is evaluated successfully against the racing criteria, watch the event's leaderboard to see how your model ranks against other participants. 

1.  Optionally, choose **Watch** to view a video of your vehicle's performance or choose **Download evaluation logs** to review a detailed look at the outputs produced.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/deepracer-community-race-success-classic.png)

1.  Choose **Race again** to enter another model. You can submit unlimited models at any time within the race's opening and closing dates to achieve your best standing on the leaderboard. 

### To join a LIVE race
<a name="deepracer-create-classic-community-race"></a>

1.  Select the link you received from the race organizer. If you're not already signed in to your account in the [ AWS DeepRacer console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/deepracer), you'll be prompted to sign in. 

1.  Once signed in to the AWS DeepRacer console, the link will take you to the Race page. The Race page displays the race details and leaderboard. Choose **Enter race**.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/enter-community-race-live.png)

1.  On the **Enter race** page, under **Choose model**, choose a trained model and then choose **Enter race**.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/choose-a-model-enter-race.png)

1.  If your model is evaluated successfully against the racing criteria, watch the event's leaderboard to see how your model ranks against other participants. 

1.  Optionally, for LIVE races, select **Calendar** to add the LIVE racing event to your calendar. 

1.  Choose **Race again** to enter another model. You can enter multiple models, but only the last model you submit before the submission window closes will be used. 

# Participate in an AWS DeepRacer LIVE race
<a name="deepracer-participate-live-race"></a>

**Note**  
 Submit your model at least one hour prior to the LIVE race start time. You can enter multiple models, but only the last model you submit before the submission window closes will be used. 

**Before you start**
+  Use a Chrome or Firefox browser (Check that your browser is up to date). 
+  Disconnect virtual private network (VPN) if you're using one. 
+  Close all extra tabs. 

**To participate in a LIVE race**

1.  Sign in to the [AWS DeepRacer console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/deepracer). 

1.  If you haven't submitted a model, find the race card for the race you want to participate in and select **Go to LIVE race**.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/deepracer-go-to-live-race.png)

1.  On the **Race** page, select **Enter race**. 

1.  On the **Enter race** page, under **Choose model**, select the model you want to submit from the drop down menu and choose **Enter race**.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/deepracer-live-enter-race.png)

1.  On the **Race** page, choose **Go to LIVE race**. 

1.  On the **LIVE race** page, you'll see a wait message. Navigate to the conference bridge provided to you by your race organizer.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/deepracer-live-race-wait-message.png)

1.  Check in with your race organizer, who will review the race rules and answer racer questions. 

1.  Check the **COMING UP** section under **LEADERBOARD** for your live race time and be ready when the race organizer announces that you are up next. 

1.  On your turn, there will be a **10, 9, 8, 7, 6...** countdown animated in the console when the race organizer launches your race. On **Go\$1** you will have access to the optional speed control. To choose key moments to boost or slow down your model’s speed. There are three ways to operate the Speed control feature: 

   1.  Drag the slider with your computer’s mouse. 

   1.  Alternatively, choose the **< / >** arrow buttons in console. 

   1.  You can also select the slider knob to activate the slider and then use your **←** and **→** keyboard arrow keys.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/deepracer-speed-control.png)

1.  Reset the multiplier to 1 to return to using your model’s speed parameters. 

1.  As you race, check the video overlay of your LIVE race to help optimize your performance. The track map overlay is divided into three sectors that change color depending on your pace. Green indicates the section of the tack where you clocked a personal best, yellow denotes the slowest sector driven, and purple signifies a session best. You can also find statistics detailing your best lap time, time remaining speed in m/s, resets, and current lap time.   
![\[\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/deepracer/latest/developerguide/images/live-race-track-map-overlay.png)

1.  The race ends when you see the checkered flag icon in the console. The Speed control is disabled and a replay of your race launches on the video screen. You are ranked on the leaderboard by your single best lap time.