diff --git a/src/main_loop.cpp b/src/main_loop.cpp
index 2db85e3e5..2a3d103cd 100644
--- a/src/main_loop.cpp
+++ b/src/main_loop.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #include "network/protocol_manager.hpp"
 #include "network/race_event_manager.hpp"
 #include "network/stk_host.hpp"
-#include "network/protocols/synchronization_protocol.hpp"
 #include "online/request_manager.hpp"
 #include "race/history.hpp"
 #include "race/race_manager.hpp"
@@ -291,15 +290,7 @@ void MainLoop::run()
 
         if (World::getWorld() )
         {
-            // In case of networking world we can only start the timing once the
-            // SynchronizationProtocol has disappeared (which indicates that all
-            // other protocols necessary for running a game are running).
-            SynchronizationProtocol* protocol = static_cast<SynchronizationProtocol*>(
-                ProtocolManager::getInstance()->getProtocol(PROTOCOL_SYNCHRONIZATION));
-            if (!protocol)
-            {
-                World::getWorld()->updateTime(dt);
-            }
+            World::getWorld()->updateTime(dt);
         }
 
         PROFILER_POP_CPU_MARKER();
diff --git a/src/main_loop.hpp b/src/main_loop.hpp
index eff1f520f..48d215546 100644
--- a/src/main_loop.hpp
+++ b/src/main_loop.hpp
@@ -28,7 +28,10 @@ typedef unsigned long Uint32;
 class MainLoop
 {
 private:
+    /** True if the main loop should exit. */
     bool m_abort;
+
+    /** True if the frame rate should be throttled. */
     bool m_throttle_fps;
 
     Uint32   m_curr_time;
diff --git a/src/modes/world_status.cpp b/src/modes/world_status.cpp
index 9a5f78304..7dcfa8f54 100644
--- a/src/modes/world_status.cpp
+++ b/src/modes/world_status.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 #include "modes/world_status.hpp"
 
+#include "main_loop.hpp"
 #include "audio/music_manager.hpp"
 #include "audio/sfx_base.hpp"
 #include "audio/sfx_manager.hpp"
@@ -32,21 +33,6 @@
 
 #include <irrlicht.h>
 
-//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-/** Starts the kart engines.
- */
-void WorldStatus::startEngines()
-{
-    if (m_engines_started)
-        return;
-
-    m_engines_started = true;
-    for (unsigned int i = 0; i < World::getWorld()->getNumKarts(); i++)
-    {
-        World::getWorld()->getKart(i)->startEngineSFX();
-    }
-}
-
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 WorldStatus::WorldStatus()
 {
@@ -65,6 +51,7 @@ WorldStatus::WorldStatus()
 
     if (device->getTimer()->isStopped())
         device->getTimer()->start();
+    m_ready_to_race = false;
 }   // WorldStatus
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -105,6 +92,10 @@ void WorldStatus::reset()
 
     // Set the right music
     World::getWorld()->getTrack()->startMusic();
+    // In case of a networked race the race can only start once
+    // all protocols are up. This flag waits for that, and is
+    // set by 
+    m_ready_to_race = !NetworkConfig::get()->isNetworking();
 }   // reset
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -121,6 +112,21 @@ WorldStatus::~WorldStatus()
         device->getTimer()->start();
 }   // ~WorldStatus
 
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+/** Starts the kart engines.
+ */
+void WorldStatus::startEngines()
+{
+    if (m_engines_started)
+        return;
+
+    m_engines_started = true;
+    for (unsigned int i = 0; i < World::getWorld()->getNumKarts(); i++)
+    {
+        World::getWorld()->getKart(i)->startEngineSFX();
+    }
+}   // startEngines
+
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** Sets the clock mode and the initial time of the world clock.
  *  \param mode The new clock mode.
@@ -173,6 +179,10 @@ void WorldStatus::update(float dt)
  */
 void WorldStatus::updateTime(const float dt)
 {
+    // In case of a networked race wait till all necessary protocols are
+    // ready before progressing the timer
+    if (!m_ready_to_race) return;
+
     switch (m_phase)
     {
         // Note: setup phase must be a separate phase, since the race_manager
diff --git a/src/modes/world_status.hpp b/src/modes/world_status.hpp
index eb821d7c8..d94ede6c1 100644
--- a/src/modes/world_status.hpp
+++ b/src/modes/world_status.hpp
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ protected:
     /** If the start race should be played, disabled in cutscenes. */
     bool            m_play_racestart_sounds;
 
+    /** A flag that causes the world to wait in case of a networking race
+     *  till all protocols are up and running. */
+    bool m_ready_to_race;
 private:
     /** Sound to play at the beginning of a race, during which a
      *  a camera intro of the track can be shown. */
@@ -194,6 +197,8 @@ public:
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     /** Get the time since start regardless of which way the clock counts */
     float getTimeSinceStart() const { return m_count_up_timer; }
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    void setReadyToRace() { m_ready_to_race = true; }
 
 };   // WorldStatus
 
diff --git a/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.cpp b/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.cpp
index 0bcf6a8d9..66f520981 100644
--- a/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.cpp
+++ b/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,15 @@ GameEventsProtocol::~GameEventsProtocol()
 {
 }   // ~GameEventsProtocol
 
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+/** Once the GameEventsProtocol is ready, signal the world that the timer
+ *  can start.
+*/
+void GameEventsProtocol::setup()
+{
+    World::getWorld()->setReadyToRace();
+}   // setup
+
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 bool GameEventsProtocol::notifyEvent(Event* event)
 {
diff --git a/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.hpp b/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.hpp
index c847d5db1..f793d3228 100644
--- a/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.hpp
+++ b/src/network/protocols/game_events_protocol.hpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ public:
     void kartFinishedRace(const NetworkString &ns);
     void startReadySetGo();
     void receivedReadySetGo();
-    virtual void setup() OVERRIDE {};
+    virtual void setup() OVERRIDE;
     virtual void update(float dt) OVERRIDE {};
     virtual void asynchronousUpdate() OVERRIDE{}
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------