diff --git a/src/karts/controller/ai_base_controller.hpp b/src/karts/controller/ai_base_controller.hpp
index 24ffa253f..d108ebe0a 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/ai_base_controller.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/ai_base_controller.hpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ protected:
     float        normalizeAngle(float angle);
     virtual void update      (float delta) ;
     virtual void setSteering   (float angle, float dt);
-    virtual bool canSkid(float steer_fraction) { return false; }
+    virtual bool canSkid(float steer_fraction) = 0;
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** This can be called to detect if the kart is stuck (i.e. repeatedly
     *  hitting part of the track). */
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.cpp b/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.cpp
index 8cf85c2ef..2504daa8d 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.cpp
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ void BattleAI::reset()
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void BattleAI::update(float dt)
 {
+    m_mini_skid = false;
     ArenaAI::update(dt);
 }   // update
 
@@ -129,6 +130,16 @@ void BattleAI::findClosestKart(bool use_difficulty)
     {
         m_closest_kart = m_world->getKart(closest_kart_num);
         checkPosition(m_closest_kart_point, &m_closest_kart_pos_data);
+
+        // Do a mini-skid to closest kart only when firing target,
+        // not straight ahead, not too far, in front of it
+        // and with suitable difficulties.
+        if (m_closest_kart_pos_data.angle > 0.2f             &&
+            m_closest_kart_pos_data.distance < 20.f          &&
+           !m_closest_kart_pos_data.behind                   &&
+           (m_cur_difficulty == RaceManager::DIFFICULTY_HARD ||
+            m_cur_difficulty == RaceManager::DIFFICULTY_BEST))
+            m_mini_skid = true;
     }
 }   // findClosestKart
 
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.hpp b/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.hpp
index 1d79ea6a0..cdb08d73d 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/battle_ai.hpp
@@ -36,10 +36,13 @@ private:
     /** Keep a pointer to world. */
     ThreeStrikesBattle *m_world;
 
+    bool m_mini_skid;
+
     virtual void findClosestKart(bool use_difficulty);
     virtual void findTarget();
     virtual int  getCurrentNode() const;
     virtual bool isWaiting() const;
+    virtual bool canSkid(float steer_fraction) { return m_mini_skid; }
 public:
                  BattleAI(AbstractKart *kart,
                           StateManager::ActivePlayer *player = NULL);
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/end_controller.hpp b/src/karts/controller/end_controller.hpp
index 5d59105b4..df4703ec1 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/end_controller.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/end_controller.hpp
@@ -74,23 +74,24 @@ private:
      *that can be done, and end up setting their respective m_controls
      *variable.
      */
-    void         handleSteering(float dt);
-    void         handleRescue(const float DELTA);
+    void          handleSteering(float dt);
+    void          handleRescue(const float DELTA);
 
-    void         checkCrashes(const int STEPS, const Vec3& pos);
-    void         findNonCrashingPoint(Vec3 *result);
-    int          calcSteps();
+    void          checkCrashes(const int STEPS, const Vec3& pos);
+    void          findNonCrashingPoint(Vec3 *result);
+    int           calcSteps();
+    virtual bool  canSkid(float steer_fraction) { return false; }
 public:
-                 EndController(AbstractKart *kart,
-                               StateManager::ActivePlayer* player,
-                               Controller *prev_controller);
-                ~EndController();
-    virtual void update      (float delta) ;
-    virtual void reset       ();
+                  EndController(AbstractKart *kart,
+                                StateManager::ActivePlayer* player,
+                                Controller *prev_controller);
+                 ~EndController();
+    virtual void  update      (float delta) ;
+    virtual void  reset       ();
     /** Returns if the original controller of the kart was a player
      *  controller. This way e.g. highscores can still be assigned
      *  to the right player. */
-    virtual bool isPlayerController () const {return getPlayer()!=NULL;}
+    virtual bool  isPlayerController () const { return getPlayer() != NULL; }
     virtual void  action             (PlayerAction action, int value);
     virtual void  newLap             (int lap);