diff --git a/src/items/plunger.cpp b/src/items/plunger.cpp
index f4638ae49..2e080a8b9 100644
--- a/src/items/plunger.cpp
+++ b/src/items/plunger.cpp
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ BareNetworkString* Plunger::saveState(std::vector<std::string>* ru)
     BareNetworkString* buffer = Flyable::saveState(ru);
     buffer->addUInt16(m_keep_alive).addUInt8(m_moved_to_infinity ? 1 : 0);
     if (m_rubber_band)
-        buffer->addUInt8(m_rubber_band->getRubberBandTo());
+        buffer->addUInt8(m_rubber_band->get8BitState());
     else
         buffer->addUInt8(255);
     return buffer;
@@ -268,7 +268,20 @@ void Plunger::restoreState(BareNetworkString *buffer, int count)
     Flyable::restoreState(buffer, count);
     m_keep_alive = buffer->getUInt16();
     m_moved_to_infinity = buffer->getUInt8() == 1;
-    int8_t rbt = buffer->getUInt8();
-    if (rbt != -1 && m_rubber_band)
-        m_rubber_band->setRubberBandTo((RubberBand::RubberBandTo)rbt);
+    uint8_t bit_state = buffer->getUInt8();
+    if (bit_state == 255 && m_rubber_band)
+    {
+        delete m_rubber_band;
+        m_rubber_band = NULL;
+        if (!m_reverse_mode)
+            m_reverse_mode = true;
+    }
+    else if (bit_state != 255 && !m_rubber_band)
+    {
+        m_rubber_band = new RubberBand(this, m_owner);
+        if (m_reverse_mode)
+            m_reverse_mode = false;
+    }
+    if (bit_state != 255)
+        m_rubber_band->set8BitState(bit_state);
 }   // restoreState
diff --git a/src/items/rubber_band.cpp b/src/items/rubber_band.cpp
index 3e48fd24f..938b20ac4 100644
--- a/src/items/rubber_band.cpp
+++ b/src/items/rubber_band.cpp
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 RubberBand::RubberBand(Plunger *plunger, AbstractKart *kart)
           : m_plunger(plunger), m_owner(kart)
 {
+    m_hit_kart = NULL;
     m_attached_state = RB_TO_PLUNGER;
     updatePosition();
 
@@ -276,6 +277,7 @@ void RubberBand::hit(AbstractKart *kart_hit, const Vec3 *track_xyz)
     // =================
     m_hit_position   = *track_xyz;
     m_attached_state = RB_TO_TRACK;
+    m_hit_kart       = NULL;
 }   // hit
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -289,3 +291,24 @@ void RubberBand::remove()
     }
 #endif
 }   // remove
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+uint8_t RubberBand::get8BitState() const
+{
+    uint8_t state = (uint8_t)(m_attached_state & 3);
+    state |= m_attached_state == RB_TO_KART && m_hit_kart ?
+        (m_hit_kart->getWorldKartId() << 3) : 0;
+    return state;
+}   // get8BitState
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void RubberBand::set8BitState(uint8_t bit_state)
+{
+    m_hit_kart = NULL;
+    m_attached_state = (RubberBandTo)(bit_state & 3);
+    if (m_attached_state == RB_TO_KART)
+    {
+        unsigned kart = bit_state >> 3;
+        m_hit_kart = World::getWorld()->getKart(kart);
+    }
+}   // set8BitState
diff --git a/src/items/rubber_band.hpp b/src/items/rubber_band.hpp
index 181f2f05f..025c8d416 100644
--- a/src/items/rubber_band.hpp
+++ b/src/items/rubber_band.hpp
@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ public:
     void updateGraphics(float dt);
     void update(int ticks);
     void hit(AbstractKart *kart_hit, const Vec3 *track_xyz=NULL);
-    RubberBandTo getRubberBandTo() const { return m_attached_state; }
-    void setRubberBandTo(RubberBandTo rbt) { m_attached_state = rbt; }
+    uint8_t get8BitState() const;
+    void set8BitState(uint8_t bit_state);
     void remove();
 };   // RubberBand
 #endif