diff --git a/data/stk_config.data b/data/stk_config.data
index d8f0d359e..d74efc987 100644
--- a/data/stk_config.data
+++ b/data/stk_config.data
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
  ;; STK parameters
  ;; --------------
  (max-karts                 10   )  ;; maximum number of karts
+ (grid-order	   	     1   )  ;; order for grand prix, 1 is most 
+				    ;; points 1st, 0 is least points
+				    ;; 1st
 
  ;; Attachment related parameters
  ;; -----------------------------
diff --git a/src/race_manager.cpp b/src/race_manager.cpp
index 872d50481..9f434fc13 100644
--- a/src/race_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/race_manager.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "world.hpp"
 #include "scene.hpp"
 #include "user_config.hpp"
+#include "stk_config.hpp"
 
 RaceManager* race_manager= NULL;
 
@@ -95,22 +96,43 @@ GrandPrixMode::start_race(int n)
     RaceSetup raceSetup;
     raceSetup.m_mode       = RaceSetup::RM_GRAND_PRIX;
     raceSetup.m_difficulty = m_difficulty;
-    raceSetup.m_num_laps    = 2;
+    raceSetup.m_num_laps   = 1;
     raceSetup.m_track      = m_cup.getTrack(n);
     raceSetup.m_karts.resize(m_karts.size());
     raceSetup.m_players.resize(m_players.size());
     raceSetup.setHerringStyle(m_cup.getHerringStyle());
 
-
-    for(int i = 0; i < int(m_karts.size()); ++i)
-    {
-        raceSetup.m_karts[m_karts[i].prev_finish_pos] = m_karts[i].ident;
-        if (m_karts[i].player < int(m_players.size()))
+    if (n == 0) //The first race, Players start at the back
+    { 
+        for(int i = 0; i < int(m_karts.size()); ++i)
         {
-            raceSetup.m_players[m_karts[i].player] = i;
+            raceSetup.m_karts[m_karts[i].prev_finish_pos] = m_karts[i].ident;
+            if (m_karts[i].player < int(m_players.size()))
+            {
+                raceSetup.m_players[m_karts[i].player] = m_karts[i].prev_finish_pos;
+            }
         }
     }
-
+    else //subsequent races where order of grid is determined by score
+    {
+        std::sort(m_karts.begin(), m_karts.end());//sort karts by increasing score
+        
+        //reverse kart order if flagged in stk_config
+        if (stk_config->m_grid_order)
+        {
+        std::reverse(m_karts.begin(), m_karts.end());
+        } 
+        
+        for(int i = 0;i < int(m_karts.size()); ++i)
+        {
+            raceSetup.m_karts[i] = m_karts[i].ident;
+            if (m_karts[i].player < int(m_players.size()))
+            {
+                raceSetup.m_players[m_karts[i].player] = i;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
     // the constructor assigns this object to the global
     // variable world. Admittedly a bit ugly, but simplifies
     // handling of objects which get created in the constructor
diff --git a/src/race_manager.hpp b/src/race_manager.hpp
index dc5d4c342..451674831 100644
--- a/src/race_manager.hpp
+++ b/src/race_manager.hpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
+#include <algorithm>
 
 #include "race_setup.hpp"
 #include "cup_data.hpp"
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ private:
 
     RaceDifficulty m_difficulty;
     int m_num_karts;
-
+    
     struct KartStatus
     {
         std::string ident;//The .tkkf filename without the .tkkf
@@ -59,15 +60,16 @@ private:
         KartStatus(const std::string& ident_, const int& score_,
                    const int& prev_finish_pos_, const int& player_) :
                 ident(ident_), score(score_), prev_finish_pos(prev_finish_pos_),
-        player(player_) {}}
-    ;
-
+        player(player_) {}
+        
+     };
+    
 public:
     std::vector<std::string> m_players;
     CupData m_cup;
     std::vector<KartStatus> m_karts;
     int m_track;
-
+    
     GrandPrixMode(const std::vector<std::string>& players_,
                   const CupData& cup_,
                   RaceDifficulty difficulty_,
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ public:
     void start();
     void next();
     void exit_race();
-
+       
     int  getKartScore    (int kart) const    { return m_karts[kart].score;}
     int  getPositionScore(int pos)  const    { return pos>4 ? 0 : 4-pos;}
     std::string getKartName(int kart) const  { return m_karts[kart].ident;}
@@ -86,8 +88,14 @@ public:
         m_karts[kart].score +=
             getPositionScore(pos);
     }
+    friend bool operator< (const KartStatus& left, const KartStatus& right)
+        {
+            if (left.score < right.score) return true; 
+            return false;
+        }
+       
 };
-
+    
 class QuickRaceMode : public RaceMode
 {
 public:
diff --git a/src/stk_config.cpp b/src/stk_config.cpp
index 4993259dd..ec889fe0a 100644
--- a/src/stk_config.cpp
+++ b/src/stk_config.cpp
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ void STKConfig::load(const std::string filename)
     }
 #endif
     CHECK_NEG(m_max_karts,               "max-karts"                    );
+    CHECK_NEG(m_grid_order,              "grid-order"                   );
 
     CHECK_NEG(m_corn_r,                  "m_corn_r"                     );
     CHECK_NEG(m_corn_f,                  "m_corn_f"                     );
@@ -143,6 +144,7 @@ void STKConfig::init_defaults()
     m_max_speed_reverse_ratio = m_explosion_impulse = m_jump_velocity = -99.9f;
 
     m_max_karts            = -100;
+    m_grid_order           = -100;
     m_air_res_reduce[0]    = 1.0f;
 }   // init_defaults
 
@@ -170,6 +172,7 @@ void STKConfig::getAllData(const lisp::Lisp* lisp)
     lisp->get("anvil-time",                   m_anvil_time          );
     lisp->get("explosion-impulse",            m_explosion_impulse   );
     lisp->get("max-karts",                    m_max_karts           );
+    lisp->get("grid-order",                   m_grid_order          );
 
     // Get the default KartProperties
     // ------------------------------
diff --git a/src/stk_config.hpp b/src/stk_config.hpp
index e91a4079d..f553183d0 100644
--- a/src/stk_config.hpp
+++ b/src/stk_config.hpp
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ public:
                                      // considered to be a shortcut
     float m_explosion_impulse;       // impulse affecting each non-hit kart
     int   m_max_karts;               // maximum number of karts
+    int   m_grid_order;              // whether grand prix grid is in point order or reverse point order
 
     STKConfig() : KartProperties() {};
     void init_defaults    ();