diff --git a/src/gui/race_gui.cpp b/src/gui/race_gui.cpp
index 8dc64a92b..c4f2935f4 100644
--- a/src/gui/race_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/race_gui.cpp
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ void RaceGUI::drawPowerupIcons ( Kart* player_kart, int offset_x,
 void RaceGUI::drawEnergyMeter ( Kart *player_kart, int offset_x, int offset_y,
                                 float ratio_x, float ratio_y             )
 {
-    float state = (float)(player_kart->getEnergy()) /
+    float state = (float)(player_kart->getNumItems()) /
                   MAX_ITEMS_COLLECTED;
     int x = (int)((user_config->m_width-24) * ratio_x) + offset_x;
     int y = (int)(250 * ratio_y) + offset_y;
diff --git a/src/karts/kart.cpp b/src/karts/kart.cpp
index 2be57d2fd..ae79293e1 100644
--- a/src/karts/kart.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/kart.cpp
@@ -565,15 +565,6 @@ void Kart::update(float dt)
         // track again)
         if     (material->isReset()  && isOnGround()) forceRescue();
         else if(material->isZipper() && isOnGround()) handleZipper();
-        else if(user_config->m_skidding)  // set friction otherwise if it's enabled
-        {
-            for(int i=0; i<m_vehicle->getNumWheels(); i++)
-            {
-                // terrain dependent friction
-                m_vehicle->getWheelInfo(i).m_frictionSlip = 
-                                getFrictionSlip() * material->getFriction();
-            }   // for i<getNumWheels
-        } // neither reset nor zipper material
     }   // if there is material
 
     // Check if any item was hit.
diff --git a/src/race_manager.cpp b/src/race_manager.cpp
index 6cb2c73ac..ea0800e86 100644
--- a/src/race_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/race_manager.cpp
@@ -145,16 +145,7 @@ void RaceManager::setNumPlayers(int num)
  */
 void RaceManager::setDifficulty(Difficulty diff)
 {
-    if(diff==RD_SKIDDING)
-    {
-        m_difficulty = RD_HARD;
-        user_config->m_skidding = true;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        m_difficulty = diff;
-        user_config->m_skidding = false;
-    }
+    m_difficulty = diff;
 }   // setDifficulty
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------