diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 68caf7229..ea13d3bfc 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ supertuxkart_SOURCES =             main.cpp  			\
 	gui/race_options.cpp   gui/race_options.hpp       	\
 	gui/char_sel.cpp	   gui/char_sel.hpp	        \
 	gui/start_race_feedback.cpp	   gui/start_race_feedback.hpp	\
+	gui/network_info.cpp	   gui/network_info.hpp		\
 	gui/main_menu.cpp	   gui/main_menu.hpp         	\
 	gui/help_page_one.cpp  gui/help_page_one.hpp 	        \
 	gui/help_page_two.cpp  gui/help_page_two.hpp 	        \
diff --git a/src/gui/main_menu.cpp b/src/gui/main_menu.cpp
index 1f4783aa9..a93417baa 100644
--- a/src/gui/main_menu.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/main_menu.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ enum WidgetTokens
 {
     WTOK_SINGLE,
     WTOK_MULTI,
+    WTOK_NETWORK,
     WTOK_CHALLENGES,
     WTOK_OPTIONS,
     WTOK_QUIT,
@@ -47,6 +48,11 @@ MainMenu::MainMenu()
     const int WIDTH=30;
     widget_manager->addTextButtonWgt( WTOK_SINGLE, WIDTH, 7, _("Single Player") );
     widget_manager->addTextButtonWgt( WTOK_MULTI, WIDTH, 7, _("Multiplayer") );
+#ifdef HAVE_ENET
+    // Only display the networking entry when not already connected.
+    if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_NONE)
+        widget_manager->addTextButtonWgt( WTOK_NETWORK, WIDTH, 7, _("Networking") );
+#endif
 
     std::vector<const Challenge*> all_challenges=unlock_manager->getActiveChallenges();
     // Only allow challenges if not networking for now!
@@ -104,6 +110,9 @@ void MainMenu::select()
     case WTOK_MULTI:
         menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_NUMPLAYERS);
         break;
+    case WTOK_NETWORK:
+        menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_NETWORK_GUI);
+        break;
     case WTOK_CHALLENGES:
         menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_CHALLENGES);
         break;
diff --git a/src/gui/menu_manager.cpp b/src/gui/menu_manager.cpp
index b7eee42e9..400bf53ae 100644
--- a/src/gui/menu_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/menu_manager.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 #include "feature_unlocked.hpp"
 #include "start_race_feedback.hpp"
 #include "network_info.hpp"
+#include "network_gui.hpp"
 
 using namespace std;
 
@@ -240,6 +241,9 @@ void MenuManager::update()
             case MENUID_START_RACE_FEEDBACK:
                 m_current_menu = new StartRaceFeedback();
                 break;
+            case MENUID_NETWORK_GUI:
+                m_current_menu = new NetworkGUI();
+                break;
             case MENUID_NETWORK_INFO:
                 m_current_menu = new NetworkInfo();
                 break;
diff --git a/src/gui/menu_manager.hpp b/src/gui/menu_manager.hpp
index ce72f4f8d..87094ce96 100644
--- a/src/gui/menu_manager.hpp
+++ b/src/gui/menu_manager.hpp
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ enum MenuManagerIDs
     MENUID_GRANDPRIXSELECT,
     MENUID_UNLOCKED_FEATURE,
     MENUID_START_RACE_FEEDBACK,    // 'loading'
+    MENUID_NETWORK_GUI,
     MENUID_NETWORK_INFO,           // wait for clients to connect
 
     // menu configuration
diff --git a/src/gui/network_info.cpp b/src/gui/network_info.cpp
index c34b893b9..44990d19a 100644
--- a/src/gui/network_info.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/network_info.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ enum WidgetTokens
 
 NetworkInfo::NetworkInfo()
 {
-    //Add some feedback so people know they are going to start the race
     widget_manager->reset();
     Widget *w_prev=widget_manager->addTitleWgt( WTOK_MSG, 60, 7, _("Waiting for clients ...") );
     w_prev->setPosition(WGT_DIR_CENTER,   0.0,   NULL, 
diff --git a/src/gui/race_options.cpp b/src/gui/race_options.cpp
index 37b0417ad..bc9a4c8fb 100644
--- a/src/gui/race_options.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/race_options.cpp
@@ -56,13 +56,9 @@ enum WidgetTokens
 RaceOptions::RaceOptions() 
 {
     // First update the server's race_manager with the number of players
-    if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_CLIENT)
+    if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_SERVER)
     {
-        network_manager->sendKartsInformationToServer();
-    }
-    else if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_SERVER)
-    {
-        network_manager->waitForKartsInformation();
+        network_manager->switchToReceiveKartInfo(); // NS_WAIT_FOR_KART_INFO
     }
 
     m_difficulty=race_manager->getDifficulty();
@@ -146,6 +142,8 @@ RaceOptions::RaceOptions()
     widget_manager->setWgtBorderPercentage( WTOK_START, 20 );
     widget_manager->setWgtBorderColor( WTOK_START, WGT_TRANS_BLUE );
     widget_manager->showWgtBorder( WTOK_START );
+    // Disable till all messages from the clients have arrived
+    widget_manager->deactivateWgt(WTOK_START);
     widget_manager->breakLine();
 
     widget_manager->addEmptyWgt( WidgetManager::WGT_NONE, 1, 10);
@@ -163,6 +161,15 @@ RaceOptions::~RaceOptions()
     widget_manager->reset();
 }   // ~RaceOptions
 
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void RaceOptions::update(float dt)
+{
+    if(network_manager->getState()!=NetworkManager::NS_WAIT_FOR_KART_INFO)
+    {
+        widget_manager->activateWgt(WTOK_START);
+    }
+    BaseGUI::update(dt);
+}   // update
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void RaceOptions::select()
 {
@@ -283,11 +290,7 @@ void RaceOptions::select()
         menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_START_RACE_FEEDBACK);
         if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_SERVER)
         {
-            network_manager->sendRaceInformationToClients();
-        }
-        else if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_CLIENT)
-        {
-            network_manager->waitForRaceInformation();
+            network_manager->sendRaceInformationToClients();  // NS_READY_SET_GO_BARRIER
         }
         break;
     case WTOK_QUIT:
diff --git a/src/gui/race_options.hpp b/src/gui/race_options.hpp
index c543aebe2..6a8e06c64 100644
--- a/src/gui/race_options.hpp
+++ b/src/gui/race_options.hpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ public:
     ~RaceOptions();
 
     void select();
+    void update(float dt);
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/gui/start_race_feedback.cpp b/src/gui/start_race_feedback.cpp
index cc45764a6..51e63a940 100644
--- a/src/gui/start_race_feedback.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/start_race_feedback.cpp
@@ -30,13 +30,11 @@ enum WidgetTokens
 
 StartRaceFeedback::StartRaceFeedback()
 {
-    network_manager->switchToRaceDataSynchronisation();
-
-    m_state = network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_NONE ? SRF_LOADING : SRF_NETWORK;
+    m_state = SRF_NETWORK;
 
     //Add some feedback so people know they are going to start the race
     widget_manager->reset();
-    if(m_state==SRF_NETWORK)
+    if(network_manager->getMode()!=NetworkManager::NW_NONE)
         widget_manager->addTextWgt( WTOK_MSG, 60, 7, _("Synchronising network...") );
     else
         widget_manager->addTextWgt( WTOK_MSG, 60, 7, _("Loading race...") );
@@ -68,15 +66,17 @@ void StartRaceFeedback::update(float DELTA)
             break;
         case SRF_NETWORK:
             // The server only waits for one frame:
-            if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_SERVER)
+            if(network_manager->getMode()!=NetworkManager::NW_CLIENT)
             {
+                // Server or stand alone:
                 network_manager->sendRaceInformationToClients();
+                network_manager->setupPlayerKartInfo();
                 m_state = SRF_LOADING_DISPLAY;
                 widget_manager->setWgtText(WTOK_MSG, _("Loading race...") );
                 return;
             }
             // The client have to be busy waiting till the race data has arrived:
-            if(network_manager->getState()==NetworkManager::NS_WAITING_FOR_RACE_DATA)
+            if(network_manager->getState()==NetworkManager::NS_WAIT_FOR_RACE_DATA)
                 return;
             m_state = SRF_LOADING_DISPLAY;
             widget_manager->setWgtText(WTOK_MSG, _("Loading race...") );
diff --git a/src/ide/vc9/supertuxkart.vcproj b/src/ide/vc9/supertuxkart.vcproj
index 9125dd276..a880e7232 100644
--- a/src/ide/vc9/supertuxkart.vcproj
+++ b/src/ide/vc9/supertuxkart.vcproj
@@ -1006,6 +1006,10 @@
 					RelativePath="../../../src\gui\menu_manager.cpp"
 					>
 				</File>
+				<File
+					RelativePath="..\..\gui\network_gui.cpp"
+					>
+				</File>
 				<File
 					RelativePath="..\..\gui\network_info.cpp"
 					>
@@ -1484,6 +1488,10 @@
 					RelativePath="../../../src\gui\menu_manager.hpp"
 					>
 				</File>
+				<File
+					RelativePath="..\..\gui\network_gui.hpp"
+					>
+				</File>
 				<File
 					RelativePath="..\..\gui\network_info.hpp"
 					>
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index f59a36c04..d0754bdb4 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ int handleCmdLine(int argc, char **argv)
         else if(sscanf(argv[i], "--server=%d",&n)==1)
 	{
 	     network_manager->setMode(NetworkManager::NW_SERVER);
-	     network_manager->setPort(n);
+	     user_config->m_server_port = n;
 	}
         else if( !strcmp(argv[i], "--server") )
 	{
@@ -171,12 +171,12 @@ int handleCmdLine(int argc, char **argv)
 	}
         else if( sscanf(argv[i], "--port=%d", &n) )
 	{
-	     network_manager->setPort(n);
+        user_config->m_server_port=n;
 	}
         else if( sscanf(argv[i], "--client=%s", s) )
 	{
 	     network_manager->setMode(NetworkManager::NW_CLIENT);
-	     network_manager->setServerIP(s);
+	     user_config->m_server_address=s;
 	}
 #endif
         else if( (!strcmp(argv[i], "--kart") && i+1<argc ))
@@ -531,15 +531,18 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[] )
             exit(-3);
         }
 
+        // Initialise connection in case that a command line option was set
+        // configuring a client or server. Otherwise this function does nothing
+        // here (and will be called again from the network gui).
         if(!network_manager->initialiseConnections())
         {
             fprintf(stderr, "Problems initialising network connections,\n"
                             "Running in non-network mode.\n");
         }
-        // On the server start with the network information page
+        // On the server start with the network information page for now
         if(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_SERVER)
         {
-            menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_NETWORK_INFO);
+            menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_NETWORK_GUI);
         }
         // Not replaying
         // =============
diff --git a/src/network/network_kart.cpp b/src/network/network_kart.cpp
index c49f5f225..f40c6a0a8 100644
--- a/src/network/network_kart.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_kart.cpp
@@ -18,8 +18,12 @@
 //  along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 //  Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307, USA.
 
-#include "network_kart.hpp"
+#include "network/network_manager.hpp"
+#include "network/network_kart.hpp"
 
+/** A network kart. On the server, it receives its control information (steering etc)
+    from the network manager.
+    */
 NetworkKart::NetworkKart(const std::string &kart_name, int position, 
                          const btTransform &init_transform, int global_player_id)
                          : Kart(kart_name, position, init_transform)
@@ -28,3 +32,10 @@ NetworkKart::NetworkKart(const std::string &kart_name, int position,
 }   // NetworkKart
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void NetworkKart::setControl(const KartControl& kc)
+{
+    assert(network_manager->getMode()==NetworkManager::NW_SERVER);
+    m_controls = kc;
+}   // setControl
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/network/network_kart.hpp b/src/network/network_kart.hpp
index 3a95ab4a8..4a1d1182b 100644
--- a/src/network/network_kart.hpp
+++ b/src/network/network_kart.hpp
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@ class NetworkKart : public Kart
 private:
     int m_global_player_id;     // to identify this kart to the network manager
 public:
-    NetworkKart(const std::string& kart_name, int position, 
-                const btTransform& init_transform,
-                int global_player_id);
-
+         NetworkKart(const std::string& kart_name, int position, 
+                     const btTransform& init_transform,
+                     int global_player_id);
+    void setControl(const KartControl& kc);
 };   // NetworkKart
 #endif
diff --git a/src/network/network_manager.cpp b/src/network/network_manager.cpp
index 7385045eb..a101f6c0c 100644
--- a/src/network/network_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_manager.cpp
@@ -29,8 +29,7 @@ NetworkManager::NetworkManager()
 {
      m_mode           = NW_NONE;
      m_state          = NS_ACCEPT_CONNECTIONS;
-     m_port           = 12345;
-     m_server_address = "172.31.41.53";
+
      m_num_clients    = 0;
      m_host_id        = 0;
 #ifdef HAVE_ENET
@@ -67,11 +66,11 @@ NetworkManager::~NetworkManager()
 bool NetworkManager::initServer()
 {
 #ifdef HAVE_ENET
-     fprintf(stderr, "Initialising server, listening on %d\n", m_port);
+     fprintf(stderr, "Initialising server, listening on %d\n", user_config->m_server_port);
 
      ENetAddress address;
      address.host = ENET_HOST_ANY;
-     address.port = m_port;
+     address.port = user_config->m_server_port;
 
      m_host = enet_host_create (& address     /* the address to bind the server host to */, 
                                 stk_config->m_max_karts /* number of connections */,
@@ -113,8 +112,8 @@ bool NetworkManager::initClient()
     ENetEvent event;
     ENetPeer *peer;
 
-    enet_address_set_host (& address, m_server_address.c_str());
-    address.port = m_port;
+    enet_address_set_host (& address, user_config->m_server_address.c_str());
+    address.port = user_config->m_server_port;
 
     /* Initiate the connection, allocating the two channels 0 and 1. */
     peer = enet_host_connect (m_host, &address, 2);    
@@ -136,11 +135,11 @@ bool NetworkManager::initClient()
         enet_peer_reset (peer);
 
         fprintf(stderr, "Connection to '%s:%d' failed.\n",
-                m_server_address.c_str(), m_port);
+                user_config->m_server_address.c_str(), user_config->m_server_port);
         return false;
     }
     fprintf(stderr, "Connection to %s:%d succeeded.\n", 
-             m_server_address.c_str(), m_port);
+             user_config->m_server_address.c_str(), user_config->m_server_port);
     enet_host_service(m_host, &event, 1000);
     // FIXME Receive host id from server here!!
     m_host_id = 1;
@@ -213,12 +212,13 @@ void NetworkManager::handleServerMessage(ENetEvent *event)
             m_state = NS_RACING;
         }
         break;
-    case NS_KART_INFO_BARRIER:
+    case NS_WAIT_FOR_KART_INFO:
         m_barrier_count++;
+        // handle message, i.e. append to m_kart_info
         if(m_barrier_count==m_num_clients)
         {
             // broadcast start message
-            m_state = NS_RACING;
+            m_state = NS_READY_SET_GO_BARRIER;
         }
         break;
 
@@ -228,9 +228,15 @@ void NetworkManager::handleServerMessage(ENetEvent *event)
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void NetworkManager::switchToReadySetGoBarrier()
 {
-    assert(m_state == NS_CHARACTER_SELECT);
-    m_state         = NS_READY_SET_GO_BARRIER;
-    m_barrier_count = 0;
+    if(m_num_clients==0)
+    {
+        m_state = NS_RACING;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        m_state         = NS_READY_SET_GO_BARRIER;
+        m_barrier_count = 0;
+    }
 }   // switchToReadySetGoBarrier
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -243,10 +249,16 @@ void NetworkManager::switchToCharacterSelection()
 }   // switchTocharacterSelection
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-void NetworkManager::switchToRaceDataSynchronisation()
+void NetworkManager::switchToReceiveKartInfo()
 {
     assert(m_state == NS_CHARACTER_SELECT);
-    m_state         = NS_KART_INFO_BARRIER;
+    m_state         = NS_WAIT_FOR_KART_INFO;
+}   // switchToReceiveKartInfo
+
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+void NetworkManager::switchToRaceDataSynchronisation()
+{
+    m_state         = NS_WAIT_FOR_RACE_DATA;
     m_barrier_count = 0;
 }   // switchToRaceDataSynchronisation
 
@@ -255,10 +267,10 @@ void NetworkManager::handleClientMessage(ENetEvent *event)
 {
     switch(m_state)
     {
-    case NS_ACCEPT_CONNECTIONS:
-        fprintf(stderr, "Received a receive event while waiting for client - ignored.\n");
-        return;
-
+    case NS_WAIT_FOR_RACE_DATA:
+        // check if message is really race data
+        fprintf(stderr, "Client received race data\n");
+        break;
     }   // switch m_state
 }   // handleClientMessage
 
@@ -301,19 +313,19 @@ void NetworkManager::sendKartsInformationToServer()
         fprintf(stderr, "kart name '%s'\n", race_manager->getLocalKartInfo(i).getKartName().c_str());
     }   // for i<getNumLocalPlayers
     fprintf(stderr, "Client sending kart information to server\n");
+    m_state = NS_WAIT_FOR_RACE_DATA;
 }   // sendKartsInformationToServer
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** Receive and store the information from sendKartsInformation()
 */
-void NetworkManager::waitForKartsInformation()
+void NetworkManager::setupPlayerKartInfo()
 {
     m_kart_info.clear();
 
-    fprintf(stderr, "Server receiving all kart information\n");
     // FIXME: debugging
-    m_kart_info.push_back(RemoteKartInfo(0, "tuxkart","xx", 1));
-    m_kart_info.push_back(RemoteKartInfo(1, "yetikart",   "yy", 1));
+    //m_kart_info.push_back(RemoteKartInfo(0, "tuxkart","xx", 1));
+    //m_kart_info.push_back(RemoteKartInfo(1, "yetikart",   "yy", 1));
 
     // Get the local kart info
     for(unsigned int i=0; i<race_manager->getNumLocalPlayers(); i++)
@@ -334,7 +346,7 @@ void NetworkManager::waitForKartsInformation()
     {
         race_manager->setPlayerKart(i, m_kart_info[i]);
     }
-}   // waitForKartsInformation
+}   // setupPlayerKartInfo
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** Sends the information from the race_manager to all clients.
@@ -348,6 +360,9 @@ void NetworkManager::sendRaceInformationToClients()
         fprintf(stderr, "Sending kart '%s' playerid %d host %d\n",
                 ki.getKartName().c_str(), ki.getLocalPlayerId(), ki.getHostId());
     }   // for i
+
+    // Go
+    m_state=NS_READY_SET_GO_BARRIER;
 }   // sendRaceInformationToClients
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/network/network_manager.hpp b/src/network/network_manager.hpp
index edc31b067..be61c7dc7 100644
--- a/src/network/network_manager.hpp
+++ b/src/network/network_manager.hpp
@@ -36,19 +36,17 @@ public:
     enum NetworkMode {NW_SERVER, NW_CLIENT, NW_NONE};
 
     // States for the finite state machine. First for server:
-    enum NetworkState {NS_ACCEPT_CONNECTIONS, NS_KART_INFO_BARRIER,
+    enum NetworkState {NS_ACCEPT_CONNECTIONS, NS_WAIT_FOR_KART_INFO,
          // Then client only states:
                        NS_CHARACTER_CONFIRMED, 
                        NS_CHARACTER_REJECTED,
-                       NS_WAITING_FOR_RACE_DATA,
+                       NS_WAIT_FOR_RACE_DATA,
          // Shared states   
                        NS_CHARACTER_SELECT, NS_READY_SET_GO_BARRIER, NS_RACING};
 private:
 
     NetworkMode                 m_mode;
     NetworkState                m_state;
-    int                         m_port;
-    std::string                 m_server_address;
     int                         m_num_clients;
     std::vector<RemoteKartInfo> m_kart_info;
     int                         m_host_id;
@@ -77,19 +75,19 @@ public:
     unsigned int getNumClients() const             {return m_num_clients;   }
     const std::string& 
                  getClientName(int i) const        {return m_client_names[i];}
-    void         setPort(int p)                    {m_port=p;               }
-    void         setServerIP(const std::string &s) {m_server_address=s;     }
     void         setKartInfo(int player_id, const std::string& kart, 
                              const std::string& user="", int hostid=-1);
     bool         initialiseConnections();
     void         update(float dt);
     void         sendKartsInformationToServer();
-    void         waitForKartsInformation();
+    void         setupPlayerKartInfo();
     void         sendRaceInformationToClients();
     void         waitForRaceInformation();
-    void         switchToReadySetGoBarrier();
+
     void         switchToCharacterSelection();
+    void         switchToReceiveKartInfo();
     void         switchToRaceDataSynchronisation();
+    void         switchToReadySetGoBarrier();
 
 };
 
diff --git a/src/user_config.cpp b/src/user_config.cpp
index 2490ca5bd..10108edf5 100644
--- a/src/user_config.cpp
+++ b/src/user_config.cpp
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ void UserConfig::setDefaults()
     m_log_errors       = false;
     m_kart_group       = "standard";
     m_track_group      = "standard";
+    m_server_address   = "localhost";
+    m_server_port      = 2305;
 
     if(getenv("USERNAME")!=NULL)        // for windows
         m_username=getenv("USERNAME");
@@ -444,9 +446,13 @@ void UserConfig::loadConfig(const std::string& filename)
         lisp->get("log-errors",       m_log_errors);
         lisp->get("kart-group",       m_kart_group);
         lisp->get("track-group",      m_track_group);
-                // Handle loading the stick config in it own method.
+        // Handle loading the stick config in it own method.
         readStickConfigs(lisp);
 
+        // Address of server
+        lisp->get("server-address",   m_server_address);
+        lisp->get("server-port",      m_server_port);
+
         // Unlock information:
         const lisp::Lisp* unlock_info = lisp->getLisp("unlock-info");
         if(unlock_info) unlock_manager->load(unlock_info);
@@ -691,6 +697,10 @@ void UserConfig::saveConfig(const std::string& filename)
         writer->write("kart-group", m_kart_group);
         writer->writeComment("Last selected track group");
         writer->write("track-group", m_track_group);
+        writer->writeComment("Information about last server used");
+        writer->write("server-address", m_server_address);
+        writer->write("server-port", m_server_port);
+
         writeStickConfigs(writer);
 
         // Write unlock information back
diff --git a/src/user_config.hpp b/src/user_config.hpp
index 4bd906f4e..8b6a8b627 100644
--- a/src/user_config.hpp
+++ b/src/user_config.hpp
@@ -178,6 +178,8 @@ public:
     std::string m_background_music;
     std::string m_kart_group;      // Kart group used last
     std::string m_track_group;     // Track group used last
+    std::string m_server_address;
+    int         m_server_port;
     bool        m_replay_history;
     bool        m_use_kph;
     int         m_width;
diff --git a/src/widget.cpp b/src/widget.cpp
index 2def31077..9046693a1 100644
--- a/src/widget.cpp
+++ b/src/widget.cpp
@@ -811,13 +811,6 @@ void Widget::draw()
 
     if(m_enable_text)
     {
-        if(m_text.empty())
-        {
-            std::cerr << "Warning: widget tried to print an empty string.\n";
-            std::cerr << "(Did you set the text?)\n";
-        }
-
-
         //For multilines we have to do a *very* ugly workaround for a plib
         //bug which causes multiline strings to move to the left, at least
         //while centering, and also gives wrong values for the size of the
diff --git a/src/widget_manager.hpp b/src/widget_manager.hpp
index f94faf78f..0ee60aff5 100644
--- a/src/widget_manager.hpp
+++ b/src/widget_manager.hpp
@@ -298,6 +298,9 @@ public:
     //size).
     void setWgtCornerRadius(const int TOKEN, const int RADIUS);
     void showWgtRect(const int TOKEN);
+    // Completely hide and show a widget
+    void hideWgt(const int t) {hideWgtRect(t); hideWgtText(t);}
+    void showWgt(const int t) {showWgtRect(t); showWgtText(t);}
     void hideWgtRect(const int TOKEN);
 
     void setWgtBorderColor(const int TOKEN, const GLfloat* const COLOR);
diff --git a/src/world.cpp b/src/world.cpp
index 6c0293e97..7f5ac5247 100644
--- a/src/world.cpp
+++ b/src/world.cpp
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ void World::update(float dt)
         menu_manager->pushMenu(MENUID_RACERESULT);
     }
     if(!user_config->m_replay_history) history->StoreDelta(dt);
-    m_physics->update(dt);
+    if(network_manager->getMode()!=NetworkManager::NW_CLIENT) m_physics->update(dt);
     for (int i = 0 ; i <(int) m_kart.size(); ++i)
     {
         // Update all karts that are not eliminated