diff --git a/data/stk_config.xml b/data/stk_config.xml
index c3ea07ea2..ec57e3e43 100644
--- a/data/stk_config.xml
+++ b/data/stk_config.xml
@@ -373,12 +373,15 @@
          track-connection-accel: An artificial force that pulls a wheel to
            the ground if its off ground. Reduces the affect if a kart loses
            contact with the ground (i.e. it then can't steer or accelerate
-           anymore). -->
+           anymore). 
+         smooth-flying-impulse: apply a torque impulse to flying kart to keep
+           them parallel to the ground.-->
     <stability roll-influence="0.3"
                chassis-linear-damping="0.2"
                chassis-angular-damping="0"
                downward-impulse-factor="0"
-               track-connection-accel="2"/>
+               track-connection-accel="2"
+               smooth-flying-impulse="10"/>
 
     <!-- collision
          impulse-type: STK can apply an additional impulse in case of
@@ -568,9 +571,14 @@
 		 
      <!-- Speed and acceleration related values: power and max-speed (in m/s) 
           have 3 values, one for low, medium, and hard.
-          brake-factor: Value used when braking. max-speed-reverse-ratio is
-          the percentage of max speed for reverse gear. -->
+          brake-factor: Value used when braking. 
+          brake-time-increase: The brake force is multiplied by 
+            (1+brake_time*brake_time_increase - i.e. the longer the brake was
+            pressed, the harder the kart will brake.
+          max-speed-reverse-ratio is the percentage of max speed for reverse gear.
+      -->
      <engine power="450 475 500 510"  max-speed="17 21 23 25" brake-factor="11.0"
+             brake-time-increase="10"
 	     max-speed-reverse-ratio="0.3"/>
 	 
      <!-- Simulated gears: switch-ratio defines at what ratio of the maximum
diff --git a/src/karts/kart.cpp b/src/karts/kart.cpp
index f243d2a09..02dadb898 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart.cpp
@@ -343,6 +343,7 @@ void Kart::reset()
     m_has_started          = false;
     m_wheel_rotation       = 0;
     m_bounce_back_time     = 0.0f;
+    m_brake_time           = 0.0f;
     m_time_last_crash      = 0.0f;
     m_speed                = 0.0f;
     m_current_lean         = 0.0f;
@@ -2150,6 +2151,7 @@ void Kart::updateEnginePowerAndBrakes(float dt)
         if(m_vehicle->getWheelInfo(0).m_brake &&
             !World::getWorld()->isStartPhase())
             m_vehicle->setAllBrakes(0);
+        m_brake_time = 0;
     }
     else
     {   // not accelerating
@@ -2159,9 +2161,11 @@ void Kart::updateEnginePowerAndBrakes(float dt)
             if(m_speed > 0.0f)
             {   // Still going forward while braking
                 applyEngineForce(0.f);
-
-                //apply the brakes
-                m_vehicle->setAllBrakes(m_kart_properties->getBrakeFactor());
+                m_brake_time += dt;
+                // Apply the brakes - include the time dependent brake increase
+                float f = 1 + m_brake_time
+                            * getKartProperties()->getBrakeTimeIncrease();
+                m_vehicle->setAllBrakes(m_kart_properties->getBrakeFactor()*f);
             }
             else   // m_speed < 0
             {
@@ -2185,6 +2189,7 @@ void Kart::updateEnginePowerAndBrakes(float dt)
         }
         else   // !m_brake
         {
+            m_brake_time = 0;
             // lift the foot from throttle, brakes with 10% engine_power
             assert(!isnan(m_controls.m_accel));
             assert(!isnan(engine_power));
diff --git a/src/karts/kart.hpp b/src/karts/kart.hpp
index 35a145a36..52c477b9d 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart.hpp
@@ -116,9 +116,13 @@ private:
      *  determine startup boost. */
     bool         m_has_started;
 
-    /**<Maximum engine rpm's for the current gear*/
+    /** Maximum engine rpm's for the current gear. */
     float        m_max_gear_rpm;
 
+    /** How long the brake key has been pressed - the longer the harder
+     *  the kart will brake. */
+    float        m_brake_time;
+
     /** A short time after a collision acceleration is disabled to allow
      *  the karts to bounce back*/
     float        m_bounce_back_time;
diff --git a/src/karts/kart_properties.cpp b/src/karts/kart_properties.cpp
index a216c37d0..a38649d1e 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart_properties.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart_properties.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ KartProperties::KartProperties(const std::string &filename)
 
     // Set all other values to undefined, so that it can later be tested
     // if everything is defined properly.
-    m_mass = m_brake_factor =
+    m_mass = m_brake_factor = m_brake_time_increase =
         m_time_reset_steer = m_nitro_consumption = m_nitro_engine_force =
         m_nitro_small_container = m_nitro_big_container = m_nitro_max =
         m_nitro_max_speed_increase = m_nitro_duration = m_nitro_fade_out_time =
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ KartProperties::KartProperties(const std::string &filename)
         m_squash_duration = m_downward_impulse_factor =
         m_bubblegum_fade_in_time = m_bubblegum_speed_fraction =
         m_bubblegum_time = m_bubblegum_torque = m_jump_animation_time =
+        m_smooth_flying_impulse =
             UNDEFINED;
 
     m_engine_power.resize(RaceManager::DIFFICULTY_COUNT, UNDEFINED);
@@ -370,6 +371,7 @@ void KartProperties::getAllData(const XMLNode * root)
                                                    &m_downward_impulse_factor);
         stability_node->get("track-connection-accel",
                                                    &m_track_connection_accel );
+        stability_node->get("smooth-flying-impulse", &m_smooth_flying_impulse);
     }
 
     if(const XMLNode *collision_node = root->getNode("collision"))
@@ -527,7 +529,8 @@ void KartProperties::getAllData(const XMLNode * root)
 
     if(const XMLNode *engine_node = root->getNode("engine"))
     {
-        engine_node->get("brake-factor", &m_brake_factor);
+        engine_node->get("brake-factor",            &m_brake_factor);
+        engine_node->get("brake-time-increase",     &m_brake_time_increase);
         engine_node->get("max-speed-reverse-ratio", &m_max_speed_reverse_ratio);
         engine_node->get("power", &m_engine_power);
         if(m_engine_power.size()!=RaceManager::DIFFICULTY_COUNT)
@@ -659,8 +662,10 @@ void KartProperties::checkAllSet(const std::string &filename)
     CHECK_NEG(m_chassis_angular_damping, "stability chassis-angular-damping");
     CHECK_NEG(m_downward_impulse_factor, "stability downward-impulse-factor");
     CHECK_NEG(m_track_connection_accel,  "stability track-connection-accel" );
+    CHECK_NEG(m_smooth_flying_impulse,      "smooth-flying-impulse"         );
     CHECK_NEG(m_max_speed_reverse_ratio,    "engine max-speed-reverse-ratio");
     CHECK_NEG(m_brake_factor,               "engine brake-factor"           );
+    CHECK_NEG(m_brake_time_increase,        "engine brake-time-increase"    );
     CHECK_NEG(m_suspension_stiffness,       "suspension stiffness"          );
     CHECK_NEG(m_suspension_rest,            "suspension rest"               );
     CHECK_NEG(m_suspension_travel_cm,       "suspension travel-cm"          );
diff --git a/src/karts/kart_properties.hpp b/src/karts/kart_properties.hpp
index c97b9d322..4f863888a 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart_properties.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart_properties.hpp
@@ -130,12 +130,19 @@ private:
     /** Braking factor * engine_power braking force. */
     float m_brake_factor;
 
+    /** Brake_time * m_brake_time_increase will increase the break time
+     * over time. */
+    float m_brake_time_increase;
+
     /** Time for player karts to reach full steer angle. */
     InterpolationArray m_time_full_steer;
 
     /** Time for steering to go back to zero from full steer. */
     float m_time_reset_steer;
 
+    /** A torque impulse applied to keep the kart parallel to the ground. */
+    float m_smooth_flying_impulse;;
+
     /** The turn angle depending on speed. */
     InterpolationArray m_turn_angle_at_speed;
 
@@ -501,10 +508,21 @@ public:
     /** Get braking information. */
     float getBrakeFactor            () const {return m_brake_factor;          }
 
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /** Returns the additional brake factor which depends on time. */
+    float getBrakeTimeIncrease() const { return m_brake_time_increase; }
+
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    /** Returns the torque scaling factor used to keep the karts parallel to
+     *  the ground when flying. */
+    float getSmoothFlyingImpulse() const 
+    {
+        return m_smooth_flying_impulse;
+    }   // getSmoothFlyingImpulse
+
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** Get maximum reverse speed ratio. */
-    float getMaxSpeedReverseRatio   () const
-                                          {return m_max_speed_reverse_ratio;  }
+    float getMaxSpeedReverseRatio() const {return m_max_speed_reverse_ratio;  }
 
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** Returns the engine type (used to change sfx depending on kart size). */
diff --git a/src/physics/btKart.cpp b/src/physics/btKart.cpp
index 2aa00960d..d411e9708 100644
--- a/src/physics/btKart.cpp
+++ b/src/physics/btKart.cpp
@@ -394,8 +394,8 @@ void btKart::updateVehicle( btScalar step )
         btVector3 kart_up    = getChassisWorldTransform().getBasis().getColumn(1);
         btVector3 terrain_up(0,1,0);
         btVector3 axis = kart_up.cross(terrain_up);
-        // Times 10 gives a nicely balanced feeling.
-        m_chassisBody->applyTorqueImpulse(axis * 10);
+        // Give a nicely balanced feeling for rebalancing the kart
+        m_chassisBody->applyTorqueImpulse(axis * m_kart->getKartProperties()->getSmoothFlyingImpulse());
     }
 
     // Work around: make sure that either both wheels on one axis