Learn the ins and outs of Destiny 2's fan-favorite returning game mode.
The Destiny 2: Monument of Triumph update brought with it the Sparrow Racing League mode from Destiny 1 as a permanent new game mode. Players pick out their favorite Sparrow or Skimmer and see who can earn the fastest time against five other players in a three-lap race. Rewards on the line include new weapons, armor, and cosmetics , but only the fastest Guardian takes home first place. This Destiny 2 Sparrow Racing League guide covers everything needed to maximize speed and consistently cross the finish line ahead of the competition.
Sparrow Racing League FAQ
Q: Can I use Skimmers in SRL?
A: Yes. Both Sparrows and Skimmers are allowed in SRL, but their biggest mechanical differences are disabled during races to keep competition balanced.
Q: Are shortcuts slower than the main track?
A: No. Unlike Destiny 1's SRL, shortcuts in Destiny 2 are equipped with boost pads that compensate for any missed Gates, making them a genuine time-save.
Q: How do I perform a Rocket Boost at the start of a race?
A: Activate your boost input the moment the starting countdown hits zero to trigger a Rocket Boost.
Q: How do I perform a trick in SRL?
A: Press an emote input while airborne to perform a trick. Landing it successfully grants a burst of speed.
Should You Use a Sparrow or Skimmer in SRL?
Unlike Destiny 1, Destiny 2 features two different kinds of vehicles players can bring into SRL races: Sparrows and Skimmers. To keep competition balanced, the key differences between the two are disabled while racing. Sparrows lose their Destabilizers that allow them to roll, and Skimmers lose their jump and rail grind abilities.
This does not make them identical, however. There are subtle differences in how each vehicle handles tricks, corners, and small track obstacles. Neither is definitively better than the other, so the most important factor is familiarity , race with whichever vehicle you use most outside of SRL, since comfort with its handling is worth more than any marginal mechanical difference.
Maximizing Speed
SRL races are decided by small, consistent speed gains rather than a single dominant move. Understanding each speed mechanic and when to use it is the foundation of fast lap times.
Rocket Boost
At the start of each race, players can earn a burst of early speed with a Rocket Boost. Activate your boost input the moment the starting countdown reaches zero to trigger it. This one-time boost is often the deciding factor in who leads the pack through the opening lap , and maintaining that early control can translate directly into a decisive win.
Gate Boosts
Gates appear at regular intervals along the main track. Driving through one grants a Gate Boost, a small but meaningful speed increase. Missing a Gate causes a speed penalty, and missing several in a row can drop a racer from first to last very quickly. Hitting as many Gates as possible is one of the most important habits to build in Destiny 2 SRL.
Trick Boosts
Pressing an emote input while airborne causes the vehicle to perform a trick. Landing it successfully grants a Trick Boost , a speed burst comparable to a Gate Boost. SRL tracks are filled with ramps and hills that create natural opportunities to trick, so players should look to perform one whenever the chance arises. A well-timed Trick Boost can provide just enough speed to overtake another racer.
Thrust
An ability icon with multiple charges appears at the bottom left of the screen. These charges power Thrust, a lateral movement tool that lets vehicles dash left or right while maintaining forward momentum. On mouse and keyboard, double-tap the left or right movement key. On PlayStation, press L1 or R1. On Xbox, press LB or RB.
Thrust is ideal for nudging into a Gate that is slightly out of reach or cutting toward a shortcut entrance without losing speed. Thrust charges replenish through Gate Boosts and Trick Boosts, so keeping those mechanics active also keeps Thrust available.
Shortcuts
In Destiny 1's SRL, shortcuts were slower than the main track because they contained no Gates. Destiny 2 fixes this by placing boost pads along shortcuts to compensate for missed Gate Boosts. The fastest racing lines almost always include these alternate routes. Watch for blue arrows on the ground off the side of the main course , these mark Destiny 2 SRL shortcuts and are the clearest signal that a faster path is nearby.
Sparrow Racing League Tips and Tricks
SRL races are not won by building a massive lead and holding it , they are won by consistently making small decisions that add up over three laps. The following tips will help players achieve faster times and place higher in races.
- Practice in Private Matches. Crucible's Private Match mode allows players to run SRL tracks alone, without any competitive pressure. Use this to memorize shortcut locations, find the smoothest jump lines, and dial in corner technique before racing against others.
- Choose jumps carefully for Trick Boosts. Focus on ramps that preserve momentum after landing and allow the full trick animation to complete. On smaller jumps, skip the trick entirely and use that moment to position for the next Gate or corner instead.
- Release boost through sharp corners. Holding boost through tight turns can cause the vehicle to clip walls or take the corner too wide, losing more time than briefly easing off the throttle would. Let go of boost before sharp bends and reapply once the vehicle is pointed straight.
- Commit to shortcuts. Boost pads make shortcuts genuinely faster, but only if players hit them cleanly. Set up the approach early so the vehicle enters the shortcut at the right angle to collect every boost pad.
- Rebind tricks on mouse and keyboard. The default emote key is far from the movement keys used for Thrust, making it awkward to combine both inputs during a race. Rebinding an emote to a key closer to the left and right movement inputs makes Trick Boosts and Thrust much easier to execute together. This setting can be adjusted in the mouse and keyboard controls menu.
The Sparrow Racing League offers a refreshing competitive mode that rewards precision and consistency over raw aggression. This Destiny 2: Monument of Triumph Sparrow Racing League guide covers the fundamentals needed to place higher and earn better rewards. For more Monument of Triumph content, check out the Destiny 2 Cull's Shadow Exotic Quest Guide for a brand-new Exotic weapon locked behind a new mission, or see How to Get Eyasluna in Destiny 2 for one of the strongest hand cannons available in the Crucible.