diff --git a/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.cpp b/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.cpp
index 675028c3d..0785829ff 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.cpp
@@ -343,8 +343,7 @@ void ArenaAI::configSpeed()
     else
     {
         // Otherwise accelerate
-        m_controls->setAccel(stk_config->m_ai_acceleration * handicap *
-                             getSpeedCap());
+        m_controls->setAccel(stk_config->m_ai_acceleration * handicap);
     }
 }   // configSpeed
 
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.hpp b/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.hpp
index 6a772155f..40adaaac5 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/arena_ai.hpp
@@ -128,7 +128,6 @@ private:
     virtual bool  isWaiting() const = 0;
     virtual bool  isKartOnRoad() const = 0;
     virtual void  resetAfterStop() {};
-    virtual float getSpeedCap() const { return 1.0f; }
 public:
                  ArenaAI(AbstractKart *kart);
     virtual     ~ArenaAI() {};
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.cpp b/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.cpp
index 21f994e51..572fa6676 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.cpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 #include "karts/abstract_kart.hpp"
 #include "karts/kart_gfx.hpp"
+#include "karts/max_speed.hpp"
 #include "modes/three_strikes_battle.hpp"
 #include "tracks/arena_graph.hpp"
 #include "tracks/arena_node.hpp"
@@ -51,6 +52,9 @@ void SpareTireAI::reset()
 void SpareTireAI::update(float dt)
 {
     assert(!m_fixed_target_nodes.empty());
+
+    m_kart->setSlowdown(MaxSpeed::MS_DECREASE_AI, 0.5f, /*fade_in_time*/0.0f);
+
     BattleAI::update(dt);
     m_timer -= dt;
     if (m_timer < 0.0f)
diff --git a/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.hpp b/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.hpp
index a8d7cb76a..e68aabb2b 100644
--- a/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.hpp
+++ b/src/karts/controller/spare_tire_ai.hpp
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ private:
 
     virtual void  findClosestKart(bool use_difficulty) OVERRIDE {}
     virtual void  findTarget() OVERRIDE;
-    virtual float getSpeedCap() const OVERRIDE { return 0.7f; }
     void          findDefaultPath();
 public:
                  SpareTireAI(AbstractKart *kart);