Related Links

RARS-specific

Reinforcement Learning using Neural Networks, with Applications to Motor Control - Rémi Coulom's PhD thesis. Contains a description of the K1999 path-optimization algorithm, and reinforcement-learning experiments with RARS.
Reinforcement learning for RARS by Marco Barreno and Darren Liccardo

Simulators

Vamos Automotive Simulator
TORCS - The Open Race Car Simulator
Racer - Another "advanced" car simulator available with source and plenty of interesting technical information
XRacer - A WipeOut clone

Other

Chris Hecker's Rigid Body Dynamics Information - learn how to build a physical simulation.
Physics of Racing Series - by Brian Beckman
rec.auto.simulators - newsgroup
Programming Games and Contests - a collection of links to robot and programming contests