How to Get a Draft Boost in "Mario Kart Wii"

If you play "Mario Kart Wii" on the harder levels or play online against highly rated opponents, you might notice that some opponents finish races so quickly it’s seemingly impossible. The reason these opponents can do this is because they take advantage of every speed boost in the game, enabling them to blast through courses in a fraction of the time it would take without using speed boosts. Drafting is a technique that produces one of the most intense speed boosts in the entire game. Read on to learn how to make drafting a key element of your racing strategy.

Instructions

1. Start any type of race, as long as you have at least one opponent. You cannot get drafting boosts in time trials or practice runs when no one else is racing.

2. Position yourself behind another kart or bike. Try to line yourself up directly behind this vehicle and get to within five kart-lengths of it.

3. Watch for light blue streaks to appear around your kart or bike. These look kind of like long, skinny raindrops or teardrops.

4. Hold your position directly behind the vehicle in front of you to keep the blue streaks around your kart for about 3 seconds. After 3 seconds, your vehicle will be rocketed forward at a hugely accelerated rate of speed.

Tips & Warnings

• When you get your speed boost, you’ll knock any opponents directly in front of you out of your way.

• It’s much tougher to stay directly behind another vehicle for three consecutive seconds when you’re going around corners. The best place to try this move is on the straightaways.

• Opponents behind you can draft in your wake. To keep them from using your vehicle to get a speed boost, try to weave from side to side on the straightaways.

• The speed boost makes your vehicle considerably more difficult to steer. While you’ll just knock other racers out of your way, you still need to work hard to keep your kart or bike on the track. Avoid drafting into a speed boost right before heading into a sharp corner.