diff --git a/assets/fx/engine-fast.mp3 b/assets/fx/engine-fast.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4239bb
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/engine-fast.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/engine-heavy.mp3 b/assets/fx/engine-heavy.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7eff3f
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/engine-heavy.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/engine-medium.mp3 b/assets/fx/engine-medium.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2465195
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/engine-medium.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/engine-rev.mp3 b/assets/fx/engine-rev.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..744c8ac
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/engine-rev.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/engine-start.mp3 b/assets/fx/engine-start.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d353fb3
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/engine-start.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-coin.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-coin.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b5e7bd
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-coin.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-flatten.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-flatten.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc65e09
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-flatten.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-hit.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-hit.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc588cb
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-hit.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-shell.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-shell.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa6770e
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-shell.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-shrink.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-shrink.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f1b1ce
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-shrink.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-spin.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-spin.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c6e0e1
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-spin.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-star.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-star.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38015df
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-star.mp3 differ
diff --git a/assets/fx/kart-thump.mp3 b/assets/fx/kart-thump.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf2f752
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/kart-thump.mp3 differ
diff --git a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartGame.js b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartGame.js
index 5bea6b9..e744663 100644
--- a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartGame.js
+++ b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartGame.js
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import {
   buildBackdropCanvas, buildDecorSheetCanvas,
 } from './SuperKartRaster.js';
 import { SuperKartMode7, Mode7Backdrop, MODE7, KART_ROT_FRAMES } from './SuperKartMode7.js';
+import { VictoryCamDirector } from './SuperKartVictoryCam.js';
 
 const FONT = 'm6x11, "Julius Sans One"';
 const TIMES_KEY = 'superkart-times';
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ const GAMEDATA = 'assets/gamedata/superkart';
 
 const D = {
   backdrop: -2, ground: -1, world: 10, playerKart: 900, hud: 1000,
-  banner: 1100, view: 1200, debug: 1500,
+  banner: 1100, overlay: 1150, view: 1200, debug: 1500,
 };
 const ITEM_FRAME = { bolt: 0, seeker: 1, oil: 2, turbo: 3, overdrive: 4, emp: 5, coins: 6 };
 const BOX_FRAME = 7;
@@ -46,6 +47,18 @@ const BOX_FRAME = 7;
 const PLAYER_KART_SCALE = (MODE7.spriteBase / 64) * (MODE7.focal / MODE7.followDist);
 const COIN_FRAME = 8;
 
+// Player engine loop: default (idle) playback rate 1.0, climbing toward
+// ENGINE_RATE_MAX as the kart approaches its top speed.
+const ENGINE_RATE_MIN = 1.0;
+const ENGINE_RATE_MAX = 2.2;
+const ENGINE_VOLUME = 0.55;
+const ENGINE_SFX_BY_RACER = {
+  smasher: 'ENGINE_HEAVY', mario: 'ENGINE_HEAVY', blackwind: 'ENGINE_HEAVY',
+  kona: 'ENGINE_FAST', fireball: 'ENGINE_FAST', gerome: 'ENGINE_FAST',
+  croc: 'ENGINE_MEDIUM', 'dv-8-2303': 'ENGINE_MEDIUM', zanthor: 'ENGINE_MEDIUM',
+};
+const KART_STAR_VOLUME = 0.6;
+
 export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   constructor() { super('SuperKartGame'); }
 
@@ -62,6 +75,14 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.debugOn = false;
     this.accum = 0;
     this.lastTauntMs = 0;
+    this.victoryCamActive = false;
+    this.victoryCam = null;
+    this.victoryCamStartMs = 0;
+    this.skipPrompt = null;
+    this.engineSound = null;
+    this.engineStartSound = null;
+    this.engineTopSpeed = 0;
+    this.starSound = null;
   }
 
   create() {
@@ -211,6 +232,9 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.input.keyboard.on('keydown-ESC', () => {
       if (this.raceState) this.exitRace();
     });
+    this.input.keyboard.on('keydown-ENTER', () => {
+      if (this.victoryCamActive) this.skipVictoryCam();
+    });
   }
 
   readInputs() {
@@ -245,6 +269,14 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     return this.vAdd(t);
   }
 
+  // Dims whatever's behind a text-heavy view — used when the live race scene
+  // (not the static menu background) is still rendering behind results /
+  // standings, so text stays legible over the moving footage.
+  scrim(alpha = 0.55) {
+    return this.vAdd(this.add.rectangle(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, GAME_WIDTH, GAME_HEIGHT, 0x000000, alpha)
+      .setDepth(D.overlay));
+  }
+
   showWebGLNotice() {
     this.add.text(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2 - 40,
       'SUPER KART NEEDS WEBGL', {
@@ -467,6 +499,9 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.buildRaceHud(model, entry, cls);
     this.mode7.follow(this.playerKartState(), true);
     playSound(this, SFX.SCIFI_RISER);
+    // Engine fires up right away, before the stoplight countdown even
+    // starts — the idle loop kicks in once engine-start.mp3 finishes.
+    this.startEngineAudio(this.playerKartState());
   }
 
   playerKartState() { return this.raceState.karts[this.raceState.playerIndex]; }
@@ -486,6 +521,11 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.debugG?.destroy();
     this.debugG = null;
     this.minimapDots = null;
+    this.victoryCamActive = false;
+    this.victoryCam = null;
+    this.hideSkipPrompt();
+    this.stopEngineSound();
+    this.stopStarLoop();
   }
 
   exitRace() {
@@ -618,6 +658,12 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.renderRace();
     if (this.raceState.phase === 'finished' && !this.raceResultsShown) {
       this.raceResultsShown = true;
+      // Keep the victory cam cutting through the race scene behind the
+      // results/standings screens instead of tearing down to the static
+      // menu background — only the skip prompt (nothing left to skip) and
+      // the now-stale race HUD go away.
+      this.hideSkipPrompt();
+      this.hud?.setVisible(false);
       this.time.delayedCall(900, () => this.showResults());
     } else if (prevPhase === 'countdown') {
       this.renderCountdown();
@@ -639,7 +685,13 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
   renderRace() {
     const state = this.raceState;
     const player = this.playerKartState();
-    this.mode7.follow(player);
+    if (this.victoryCamActive) {
+      const pose = this.victoryCam.update(state.timeMs - this.victoryCamStartMs, player);
+      this.mode7.setCamera(pose.x, pose.y, pose.angle, pose.height, pose.focal);
+      if (this.victoryCam.justCut) this.crt?.pulse(0.35, 120);
+    } else {
+      this.mode7.follow(player);
+    }
     this.backdrop.update(this.mode7.cam.angle);
 
     // Static + kart world sprites.
@@ -703,13 +755,145 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
     for (let i = di; i < this.dynamicPool.length; i += 1) this.dynamicPool[i].setVisible(false);
 
-    this.renderPlayerKart(player);
-    this.renderHud(state, player);
+    if (this.victoryCamActive) this.renderPlayerKartCinematic(player);
+    else this.renderPlayerKart(player);
+    if (!this.raceResultsShown) this.renderHud(state, player);
     if (this.debugOn) this.renderDebug(state);
+    this.updateEngineSound(player);
+    this.updateStarSound(player);
+  }
+
+  // ── Player engine sound ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // engine-start.mp3 plays once at the green light, then a looping
+  // per-racer engine hum takes over with its pitch tracking kart.speed —
+  // stopped the instant the player crosses the finish line.
+
+  engineKeyForRacer(racerId) {
+    return SFX[ENGINE_SFX_BY_RACER[racerId] ?? 'ENGINE_MEDIUM'];
+  }
+
+  startEngineAudio(kart) {
+    this.stopEngineSound();
+    try {
+      const s = this.sound.add(SFX.ENGINE_START);
+      this.engineStartSound = s;
+      s.once('complete', () => {
+        this.engineStartSound = null;
+        if (this.raceState) this.startEngineLoop(kart);
+      });
+      s.play();
+    } catch (_) {
+      this.startEngineLoop(kart);
+    }
+  }
+
+  startEngineLoop(kart) {
+    try {
+      this.engineSound = this.sound.add(this.engineKeyForRacer(kart.racer.id), {
+        loop: true, rate: ENGINE_RATE_MIN, volume: ENGINE_VOLUME,
+      });
+      this.engineSound.play();
+    } catch (_) {
+      this.engineSound = null;
+    }
+    const physics = this.raceState?.physics;
+    this.engineTopSpeed = physics
+      ? topSpeedOf(kart.racer.stats, physics, this.raceState.engineClass?.speedMult ?? 1) : 0;
+  }
+
+  updateEngineSound(kart) {
+    if (!this.engineSound) return;
+    const frac = this.engineTopSpeed > 0 ? Phaser.Math.Clamp(Math.abs(kart.speed) / this.engineTopSpeed, 0, 1) : 0;
+    this.engineSound.setRate(ENGINE_RATE_MIN + (ENGINE_RATE_MAX - ENGINE_RATE_MIN) * frac);
+  }
+
+  stopEngineSound() {
+    if (this.engineStartSound) {
+      try { this.engineStartSound.stop(); this.engineStartSound.destroy(); } catch (_) { /* noop */ }
+      this.engineStartSound = null;
+    }
+    if (this.engineSound) {
+      try { this.engineSound.stop(); this.engineSound.destroy(); } catch (_) { /* noop */ }
+      this.engineSound = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // ── Player star-power loop ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  startStarLoop() {
+    if (this.starSound) return;
+    try {
+      this.starSound = this.sound.add(SFX.KART_STAR, { loop: true, volume: KART_STAR_VOLUME });
+      this.starSound.play();
+    } catch (_) {
+      this.starSound = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  updateStarSound(kart) {
+    if (this.starSound && kart.starMs <= 0) this.stopStarLoop();
+  }
+
+  stopStarLoop() {
+    if (!this.starSound) return;
+    try { this.starSound.stop(); this.starSound.destroy(); } catch (_) { /* noop */ }
+    this.starSound = null;
+  }
+
+  // ── Victory cam (post-race AI takeover) ─────────────────────────────────
+
+  startVictoryCam() {
+    this.victoryCamActive = true;
+    this.victoryCam = new VictoryCamDirector(this.raceState.seed ^ 0x5eed);
+    this.victoryCam.start(this.playerKartState());
+    this.victoryCamStartMs = this.raceState.timeMs;
+    this.showSkipPrompt();
+  }
+
+  skipVictoryCam() {
+    if (!this.victoryCamActive) return;
+    this.raceState.phase = 'finished'; // the natural end-of-race path in update() takes it from here
+  }
+
+  showSkipPrompt() {
+    const btn = new Button(this, GAME_WIDTH - 150, GAME_HEIGHT - 60, 'SKIP ▶', () => this.skipVictoryCam(),
+      { width: 220, height: 52, fontSize: 20, variant: 'ghost' });
+    btn.setDepth(D.banner).setAlpha(0);
+    this.tweens.add({ targets: btn, alpha: 1, duration: 300 });
+    const caption = this.add.text(GAME_WIDTH - 150, GAME_HEIGHT - 100, 'Waiting for the field to finish…', {
+      fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '16px', color: COLORS.mutedHex,
+    }).setOrigin(0.5).setDepth(D.banner).setAlpha(0);
+    this.tweens.add({ targets: caption, alpha: 1, duration: 300, delay: 200 });
+    this.skipPrompt = [btn, caption];
+  }
+
+  hideSkipPrompt() {
+    for (const o of this.skipPrompt ?? []) o.destroy();
+    this.skipPrompt = null;
+  }
+
+  // Projects the player kart through the Mode-7 camera like an AI kart,
+  // instead of the normal screen-fixed rig — used only while victoryCamActive.
+  renderPlayerKartCinematic(kart) {
+    const s = this.playerSprite;
+    const frame = this.mode7.angleFrame(kart.spinMs > 0 ? kart.heading + kart.spinSpin : kart.heading, KART_ROT_FRAMES);
+    const p = this.mode7.project(kart.x, kart.y);
+    if (!p) { s.setVisible(false); return; }
+    s.setVisible(true).setAngle(0).setFrame(frame);
+    let scale = p.scale;
+    if (kart.empMs > 0) scale *= 0.55;
+    if (kart.squashMs > 0) s.setScale(scale * 1.25, scale * 0.45);
+    else s.setScale(scale);
+    s.setPosition(p.x, p.y - s.displayHeight * 0.42);
+    s.setDepth(D.world + Math.max(0, 800 - p.z));
+    s.setAlpha(kart.invulnMs > 0 ? (Math.floor(this.raceState.timeMs / 80) % 2 ? 0.35 : 1) : 1);
+    if (kart.starMs > 0) s.setTint(starTint(this.raceState.timeMs));
+    else s.clearTint();
   }
 
   renderPlayerKart(kart) {
     const s = this.playerSprite;
+    s.setDepth(D.playerKart); // reset in case cinematic mode last touched depth
     const sheet = this.textures.get(this.kartTexKey(kart.racer.id));
     const hasLean = sheet.frameTotal > KART_ROT_FRAMES + 1;
     const inputs = this.readInputs();
@@ -818,6 +1002,22 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
   // ── Events → sound + speech ───────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+  // Full volume for the player's own kart; for any other kart, volume falls
+  // off linearly with distance from the player, down to silent past maxDist.
+  playPositionalSound(key, kartIdx, maxDist = 1100) {
+    const state = this.raceState;
+    let volume = 1;
+    if (kartIdx !== state.playerIndex) {
+      const kart = state.karts[kartIdx];
+      const player = this.playerKartState();
+      if (!kart || !player) return;
+      const dist = Math.hypot(kart.x - player.x, kart.y - player.y);
+      volume = Phaser.Math.Clamp(1 - dist / maxDist, 0, 1);
+      if (volume <= 0.02) return;
+    }
+    try { this.sound.play(key, { volume }); } catch (_) { /* audio locked */ }
+  }
+
   processEvents(events) {
     const state = this.raceState;
     const pIdx = state.playerIndex;
@@ -826,19 +1026,44 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
         case 'go': playSound(this, SFX.COUNTDOWN_GO); break;
         case 'item-box': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.UI_FLIP); break;
         case 'item-get': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.UI_CHIME); break;
-        case 'item-use': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.WOOSH); break;
-        case 'boost': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.SCIFI_WOOSH); break;
-        case 'star': playSound(this, SFX.EIGHTBIT_ACTIVATE); break;
-        case 'emp': playSound(this, SFX.LASER_ZAP); break;
-        case 'spin': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.SQUISH); this.taunt(ev.kart, ev.kart === pIdx); break;
+        case 'item-use':
+          if (ev.kart === pIdx) {
+            playSound(this, SFX.WOOSH);
+            if (ev.item === 'turbo') playSound(this, SFX.ENGINE_REV);
+            if (ev.item === 'bolt' || ev.item === 'seeker') playSound(this, SFX.KART_SHELL);
+          }
+          break;
+        case 'boost':
+          if (ev.kart === pIdx) {
+            playSound(this, SFX.SCIFI_WOOSH);
+            if (ev.pad) playSound(this, SFX.ENGINE_REV);
+          }
+          break;
+        case 'star':
+          playSound(this, SFX.EIGHTBIT_ACTIVATE);
+          if (ev.kart === pIdx) this.startStarLoop();
+          break;
+        case 'emp':
+          playSound(this, SFX.LASER_ZAP);
+          for (let i = 0; i < (ev.targets ?? []).length; i += 1) playSound(this, SFX.KART_SHRINK);
+          break;
+        case 'squash': this.playPositionalSound(SFX.KART_FLATTEN, ev.kart); break;
+        case 'spin':
+          this.playPositionalSound(ev.cause === 'bolt' || ev.cause === 'seeker' ? SFX.KART_HIT : SFX.KART_SPIN, ev.kart);
+          this.taunt(ev.kart, ev.kart === pIdx);
+          break;
         case 'wallhit': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.EIGHTBIT_MOVE); break;
-        case 'bump': if (ev.a === pIdx || ev.b === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.PIECE_CLICK); break;
-        case 'coin': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.COINS); break;
+        case 'bump': if (ev.a === pIdx || ev.b === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.KART_THUMP); break;
+        case 'coin': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.KART_COIN); break;
         case 'lap': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, SFX.UI_CHIME); break;
         case 'splash': if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, 'sfx-water-splash'); break;
         case 'shatter': playSound(this, SFX.EIGHTBIT_EXPLODE); break;
         case 'finish':
-          if (ev.kart === pIdx) playSound(this, ev.place <= 3 ? SFX.VICTORY_SHORT : SFX.CASINO_LOSE);
+          if (ev.kart === pIdx) {
+            playSound(this, ev.place <= 3 ? SFX.VICTORY_SHORT : SFX.CASINO_LOSE);
+            this.stopEngineSound();
+            if (state.mode !== 'tt') this.startVictoryCam();
+          }
           break;
         case 'player-position':
           if (ev.to > ev.from) this.tauntFromLeader(ev.to);
@@ -893,10 +1118,10 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     const cls = this.rules.engineClasses[this.chosen.classIdx];
     const player = this.playerKartState();
     const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2;
-    this.teardownRace();
-    this.clearView();
 
     if (this.returnToEditor) {
+      this.teardownRace();
+      this.clearView();
       this.text(cx, 240, 'TEST COMPLETE', 64, '#ffd028');
       this.text(cx, 330, `TIME ${fmtTime(player.finishTimeMs - COUNTDOWN_MS)}   BEST LAP ${fmtTime(player.bestLapMs)}`, 30);
       this.vAdd(new Button(this, cx, 460, 'Back to Editor', () => this.scene.start('SuperKartEditor', { resume: true })));
@@ -904,6 +1129,8 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
 
     if (state.mode === 'tt') {
+      this.teardownRace();
+      this.clearView();
       const ms = player.finishTimeMs - COUNTDOWN_MS;
       const isRecord = this.recordTime(this.raceEntry.id, cls.id, ms);
       this.text(cx, 180, isRecord ? 'NEW RECORD!' : 'RUN COMPLETE', 64, isRecord ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex);
@@ -917,76 +1144,257 @@ export default class SuperKartGame extends Phaser.Scene {
       return;
     }
 
-    // Grand Prix race results + cumulative standings.
-    for (const r of results) this.gp.points[r.racerId] += r.points;
-    const lastRace = this.gp.raceIdx >= this.gp.cup.tracks.length - 1;
+    // GP: keep the race scene (ground/backdrop/karts + victory cam) alive
+    // behind the results/standings screens instead of tearing it down —
+    // teardownRace() happens later, at showPodium() or the next startRace().
+    this.clearView();
+    this.showRaceResultsScreen(results);
+  }
+
+  // This race's results only (no cup totals — those are revealed, animated,
+  // on the next screen). Disappears after a fixed 5s pause.
+  showRaceResultsScreen(results) {
+    const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2;
+    const playerId = this.playerRacer().id;
+    const playerResult = results.find((r) => r.racerId === playerId);
+
+    this.scrim();
     this.text(cx, 110, `${this.raceEntry.name} — RESULTS`, 48, '#ffd028');
     const header = (x, s) => this.text(x, 180, s, 22, COLORS.mutedHex);
-    header(cx - 420, 'POS');
-    header(cx - 240, 'RACER');
-    header(cx + 90, 'TIME');
-    header(cx + 260, 'PTS');
-    header(cx + 400, 'TOTAL');
+    header(cx - 380, 'POS');
+    header(cx - 200, 'RACER');
+    header(cx + 140, 'TIME');
+    header(cx + 340, 'PTS');
+
     results.forEach((r, i) => {
       const y = 226 + i * 52;
-      const racer = this.racers.find((rc) => rc.id === r.racerId);
-      const isP = r.racerId === this.playerRacer().id;
+      const isP = r.racerId === playerId;
       const color = isP ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex;
-      this.text(cx - 420, y, String(r.position), 28, color);
+      const row = this.add.container(0, y).setDepth(D.view).setAlpha(0);
+      this.vAdd(row);
+      const rowText = (x, s, size, origin = 0.5) => {
+        const t = this.add.text(x, 0, s, { fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: `${size}px`, color }).setOrigin(origin);
+        row.add(t);
+      };
+      rowText(cx - 380, String(r.position), 28);
       if (this.textures.exists('opponents')) {
-        this.vAdd(this.add.image(cx - 330, y, 'opponents', this.opponentById[r.racerId]?.spriteIndex ?? 0)
-          .setDisplaySize(44, 44).setDepth(D.view));
+        row.add(this.add.image(cx - 290, 0, 'opponents', this.opponentById[r.racerId]?.spriteIndex ?? 0)
+          .setDisplaySize(44, 44));
       }
-      this.text(cx - 240, y, (this.opponentById[r.racerId]?.name ?? r.racerId).toUpperCase(), 26, color, { x: 0, y: 0.5 });
-      this.text(cx + 90, y, r.finished ? fmtTime(r.timeMs - COUNTDOWN_MS) : '—', 24, color);
-      this.text(cx + 260, y, `+${r.points}`, 24, color);
-      this.text(cx + 400, y, String(this.gp.points[r.racerId]), 26, color);
-      void racer;
+      rowText(cx - 200, (this.opponentById[r.racerId]?.name ?? r.racerId).toUpperCase(), 26, { x: 0, y: 0.5 });
+      rowText(cx + 140, r.finished ? fmtTime(r.timeMs - COUNTDOWN_MS) : '—', 24);
+      rowText(cx + 340, `+${r.points}`, 24);
+      this.tweens.add({
+        targets: row, alpha: 1, duration: 260, delay: i * 90, ease: 'Cubic.easeOut',
+        onComplete: () => { if (isP && r.position <= 3) this.crt?.pulse(0.3, 100); },
+      });
     });
-    this.vAdd(new Button(this, cx, GAME_HEIGHT - 90, lastRace ? 'Final Standings' : 'Next Race', () => {
-      if (lastRace) this.showPodium();
-      else { this.gp.raceIdx += 1; this.startCupRace(); }
-    }, { width: 340 }));
+
+    if (playerResult && playerResult.position <= 3) playSound(this, SFX.FIREWORK);
+
+    this.time.delayedCall(5000, () => {
+      this.clearView();
+      this.showCupStandings(results);
+    });
+  }
+
+  // Animated cup-standings re-rank: draws rows in their PRE-race order, then
+  // tweens each row (position + running point total) to its post-race slot.
+  // This is the only place this.gp.points gets mutated for this race.
+  showCupStandings(results) {
+    const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2;
+    const rowH = 62;
+    const topY = 220;
+    const playerId = this.playerRacer().id;
+
+    const before = Object.entries(this.gp.points).sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1]).map(([id]) => id);
+    const prevPoints = { ...this.gp.points };
+    for (const r of results) this.gp.points[r.racerId] += r.points;
+    const after = Object.entries(this.gp.points).sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1]).map(([id]) => id);
+
+    this.scrim();
+    this.text(cx, 100, `${this.gp.cup.name} — STANDINGS`, 44, '#ffd028');
+    const header = (x, s) => this.text(x, topY - 40, s, 20, COLORS.mutedHex);
+    header(cx - 380, 'POS');
+    header(cx - 260, 'RACER');
+    header(cx + 340, 'PTS');
+    playSound(this, SFX.SCIFI_RISER);
+
+    const rows = {};
+    before.forEach((id, i) => {
+      const isP = id === playerId;
+      const color = isP ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex;
+      const row = this.add.container(0, topY + i * rowH).setDepth(D.view);
+      this.vAdd(row);
+      const posText = this.add.text(cx - 380, 0, String(i + 1), { fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '26px', color }).setOrigin(0.5);
+      const name = this.add.text(cx - 260, 0, (this.opponentById[id]?.name ?? id).toUpperCase(), {
+        fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '24px', color,
+      }).setOrigin(0, 0.5);
+      const counter = { v: prevPoints[id] };
+      const ptsText = this.add.text(cx + 340, 0, String(Math.round(counter.v)), {
+        fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '26px', color,
+      }).setOrigin(0.5);
+      const arrow = this.add.text(cx + 290, 0, '', { fontFamily: FONT, fontSize: '22px', color: '#38b048' })
+        .setOrigin(0.5).setAlpha(0);
+      row.add([posText, name, ptsText, arrow]);
+      rows[id] = {
+        row, posText, ptsText, arrow, counter,
+      };
+    });
+
+    let pending = before.length * 2; // row-move + count-up per racer
+    let done = false;
+    const settleRow = (id) => {
+      pending -= 1;
+      if (id === playerId) this.crt?.pulse(0.4, 150);
+      if (pending === 0 && !done) {
+        done = true;
+        playSound(this, SFX.UI_CHIME);
+        this.showStandingsButton();
+      }
+    };
+
+    this.time.delayedCall(700, () => {
+      const animMs = 900;
+      const tickCounter = { v: 0 };
+      const tickTimer = this.time.addEvent({
+        delay: 70,
+        loop: true,
+        callback: () => {
+          const p = Math.min(1, tickCounter.v);
+          try { this.sound.play(SFX.SCIFI_PLINK, { rate: 0.9 + 1.3 * p, volume: 0.5 }); } catch (_) { /* audio locked */ }
+          if (p >= 1) tickTimer.remove();
+        },
+      });
+      this.tweens.add({ targets: tickCounter, v: 1, duration: animMs });
+
+      before.forEach((id, i) => {
+        const newIdx = after.indexOf(id);
+        const targetY = topY + newIdx * rowH;
+        const delta = i - newIdx; // positive = moved up toward 1st
+        const r = rows[id];
+        if (delta !== 0) {
+          r.arrow.setText(delta > 0 ? '▲' : '▼').setColor(delta > 0 ? '#38b048' : '#e06c75').setAlpha(0);
+          this.tweens.add({ targets: r.arrow, alpha: 1, duration: 200, delay: 150 });
+        }
+        this.tweens.add({
+          targets: r.row, y: targetY, duration: animMs, ease: 'Cubic.easeInOut',
+          onComplete: () => {
+            r.posText.setText(String(newIdx + 1));
+            if (r.arrow.alpha > 0) this.tweens.add({ targets: r.arrow, alpha: 0, duration: 400, delay: 400 });
+            settleRow(id);
+          },
+        });
+        this.tweens.add({
+          targets: r.counter, v: this.gp.points[id], duration: animMs, ease: 'Cubic.easeOut',
+          onUpdate: () => r.ptsText.setText(String(Math.round(r.counter.v))),
+          onComplete: () => settleRow(id),
+        });
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  showStandingsButton() {
+    const lastRace = this.gp.raceIdx >= this.gp.cup.tracks.length - 1;
+    const btn = this.vAdd(new Button(this, GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT - 90,
+      lastRace ? 'Final Standings' : 'Next Race', () => {
+        if (lastRace) this.showPodium();
+        else { this.gp.raceIdx += 1; this.startCupRace(); }
+      }, { width: 340 }));
+    btn.setAlpha(0);
+    this.tweens.add({ targets: btn, alpha: 1, duration: 300 });
+  }
+
+  // Small outward-bursting rectangle particles — shared by showCupStandings'
+  // player-row payoff and showPodium's reveals. Self-destroying, not tracked
+  // via vAdd since they're a short-lived effect, not a view object.
+  confetti(x, y, tint = 0xffd028) {
+    for (let i = 0; i < 10; i += 1) {
+      const piece = this.add.rectangle(x, y, 6, 10, tint).setDepth(D.banner).setAngle(Math.random() * 360);
+      const angle = -Math.PI / 2 + (Math.random() - 0.5) * Math.PI * 0.9;
+      const dist = 60 + Math.random() * 90;
+      this.tweens.add({
+        targets: piece,
+        x: x + Math.cos(angle) * dist,
+        y: y + Math.sin(angle) * dist + 40,
+        angle: piece.angle + (Math.random() - 0.5) * 480,
+        alpha: 0,
+        duration: 700 + Math.random() * 400,
+        ease: 'Cubic.easeOut',
+        onComplete: () => piece.destroy(),
+      });
+    }
   }
 
   showPodium() {
+    // The cup-final screen goes back to the static menu background rather
+    // than the live race scene — this is where that finally gets torn down
+    // (results/standings kept it alive for the victory-cam backdrop).
+    this.teardownRace();
     this.clearView();
     const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2;
-    const standings = Object.entries(this.gp.points)
-      .sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1]);
+    const standings = Object.entries(this.gp.points).sort((a, b) => b[1] - a[1]);
     const playerId = this.playerRacer().id;
     const playerPlace = standings.findIndex(([id]) => id === playerId) + 1;
 
     this.text(cx, 100, `${this.gp.cup.name} — FINAL STANDINGS`, 48, '#ffd028');
-    this.text(cx, 170, playerPlace === 1 ? 'CHAMPION!' : `YOU FINISHED ${ordinal(playerPlace).toUpperCase()}`, 34,
-      playerPlace === 1 ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex);
 
-    // Podium top 3 with live portraits (video/mood if assets exist).
+    // Podium top 3 with live portraits (video/mood if assets exist). Revealed
+    // 3rd → 2nd → 1st, staggered, for a bit of suspense before the winner.
     const podX = [cx, cx - 330, cx + 330];
     const podY = [340, 400, 430];
-    standings.slice(0, 3).forEach(([id], i) => {
+    const tintFor = [0xffd028, 0xc8ccd4, 0xcd8a4a]; // gold / silver / bronze
+
+    const revealSlot = (i) => {
+      const [id, pts] = standings[i];
       const op = this.opponentById[id];
+      const isP = id === playerId;
       if (op) {
         const portrait = createOpponentPortrait(this, op, podX[i], podY[i], i === 0 ? 110 : 85, D.view, { playIntro: false });
         this.viewObjs.push(portrait);
+        portrait.setAlpha?.(0);
+        this.tweens.add({ targets: portrait, alpha: 1, duration: 260 });
       }
-      this.text(podX[i], podY[i] + (i === 0 ? 150 : 125), `${i + 1}. ${(op?.name ?? id).toUpperCase()}`, 28,
-        id === playerId ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex);
-      this.text(podX[i], podY[i] + (i === 0 ? 186 : 161), `${this.gp.points[id]} PTS`, 22, COLORS.mutedHex);
-    });
-    const winner = this.opponentById[standings[0][0]];
-    const clip = winner?.speech?.happy?.[0];
-    if (clip) { resetQueue(); enqueueSpeech(clip); }
+      const label = this.text(podX[i], podY[i] + (i === 0 ? 150 : 125), `${i + 1}. ${(op?.name ?? id).toUpperCase()}`, 28,
+        isP ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex).setAlpha(0);
+      this.tweens.add({ targets: label, alpha: 1, duration: 260 });
+      const counter = { v: 0 };
+      const ptsText = this.text(podX[i], podY[i] + (i === 0 ? 186 : 161), '0 PTS', 22, COLORS.mutedHex).setAlpha(0);
+      this.tweens.add({ targets: ptsText, alpha: 1, duration: 200 });
+      this.tweens.add({
+        targets: counter, v: pts, duration: 700, ease: 'Cubic.easeOut',
+        onUpdate: () => ptsText.setText(`${Math.round(counter.v)} PTS`),
+      });
+      this.confetti(podX[i], podY[i], tintFor[i]);
+      playSound(this, SFX.SCIFI_REVEAL);
+      if (i === 0) {
+        this.crt?.pulse(0.6, 200);
+        playSound(this, playerPlace === 1 ? SFX.CASINO_WIN : SFX.VICTORY_SHORT);
+        const subtitle = this.text(cx, 170, playerPlace === 1 ? 'CHAMPION!' : `YOU FINISHED ${ordinal(playerPlace).toUpperCase()}`,
+          34, playerPlace === 1 ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.textHex).setAlpha(0);
+        this.tweens.add({ targets: subtitle, alpha: 1, duration: 300 });
+        const winner = this.opponentById[id];
+        const clip = winner?.speech?.happy?.[0];
+        if (clip) { resetQueue(); enqueueSpeech(clip); }
+      }
+    };
 
-    standings.slice(3).forEach(([id, pts], i) => {
-      this.text(cx - 200 + Math.floor(i / 3) * 400, 660 + (i % 3) * 40,
-        `${i + 4}. ${(this.opponentById[id]?.name ?? id).toUpperCase()}  ${pts} PTS`, 22,
-        id === playerId ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.mutedHex);
-    });
+    [2, 1, 0].forEach((podiumIdx, k) => this.time.delayedCall(k * 900, () => revealSlot(podiumIdx)));
 
-    playSound(this, playerPlace === 1 ? SFX.CASINO_WIN : SFX.VICTORY_SHORT);
-    this.vAdd(new Button(this, cx - 180, GAME_HEIGHT - 70, 'Race Again', () => this.showCupSelect(), { width: 260 }));
-    this.vAdd(new Button(this, cx + 180, GAME_HEIGHT - 70, 'Main Menu', () => this.showMenu(), { width: 260, variant: 'ghost' }));
+    this.time.delayedCall(2700, () => {
+      standings.slice(3).forEach(([id, pts], i) => {
+        const t = this.text(cx - 200 + Math.floor(i / 3) * 400, 660 + (i % 3) * 40,
+          `${i + 4}. ${(this.opponentById[id]?.name ?? id).toUpperCase()}  ${pts} PTS`, 22,
+          id === playerId ? '#ffd028' : COLORS.mutedHex).setAlpha(0);
+        this.tweens.add({ targets: t, alpha: 1, duration: 220, delay: i * 40 });
+      });
+
+      const btn1 = this.vAdd(new Button(this, cx - 180, GAME_HEIGHT - 70, 'Race Again', () => this.showCupSelect(), { width: 260 }));
+      const btn2 = this.vAdd(new Button(this, cx + 180, GAME_HEIGHT - 70, 'Main Menu', () => this.showMenu(), { width: 260, variant: 'ghost' }));
+      btn1.setAlpha(0);
+      btn2.setAlpha(0);
+      this.tweens.add({ targets: [btn1, btn2], alpha: 1, duration: 300, delay: 300 });
+    });
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartLogic.js b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartLogic.js
index f8e3a68..c96b0c9 100644
--- a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartLogic.js
+++ b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartLogic.js
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ import {
 const TAU = Math.PI * 2;
 export const STEP_MS = 1000 / 60;
 export const COUNTDOWN_MS = 3400;
+// Once the player finishes, the field is given this long (sim time) to finish
+// too before the race is forced to end — a safety net against a stuck AI,
+// not the normal path (state.karts.every(finished) ends it sooner).
+const POST_FINISH_SAFETY_MS = 90000;
 
 export function mulberry32(seed) {
   let a = seed >>> 0;
@@ -248,7 +252,10 @@ function aiSkillOf(state, kart) {
 
 function computeAiInputs(state, kart) {
   const inputs = kartInputsNeutral();
-  if (kart.finished && state.phase === 'finished') return inputs;
+  // Finished karts (including the autopiloted player) keep actively driving
+  // laps through the results/standings screens rather than coasting to a
+  // stop — the scene only stops stepping this state once it tears the race
+  // down (next race start, or the cup-final podium).
   const { model, physics } = state;
   const skill = aiSkillOf(state, kart);
 
@@ -653,13 +660,15 @@ function useItem(state, kart) {
       emit(state, 'star', { kart: kart.index });
       break;
     case 'emp': {
+      const targets = [];
       for (const other of state.karts) {
         if (other === kart || other.finished) continue;
         if (other.starMs > 0 || other.invulnMs > 0) continue;
         other.empMs = (params.ms ?? 4200) + other.racer.stats.weight * (params.weightExtraMs ?? 1600);
         other.drifting = false;
+        targets.push(other.index);
       }
-      emit(state, 'emp', { kart: kart.index });
+      emit(state, 'emp', { kart: kart.index, targets });
       break;
     }
     case 'coins':
@@ -768,8 +777,13 @@ function stepCollisions(state) {
       if (a.starMs > 0 && b.starMs <= 0) startSpin(state, b, 'star');
       else if (b.starMs > 0 && a.starMs <= 0) startSpin(state, a, 'star');
       // A heavy kart running over an EMP-shrunk one squashes it.
-      if (a.empMs > 0 && b.empMs <= 0 && b.squashMs <= 0 && a.squashMs <= 0) a.squashMs = physics.squashMs;
-      else if (b.empMs > 0 && a.empMs <= 0 && a.squashMs <= 0 && b.squashMs <= 0) b.squashMs = physics.squashMs;
+      if (a.empMs > 0 && b.empMs <= 0 && b.squashMs <= 0 && a.squashMs <= 0) {
+        a.squashMs = physics.squashMs;
+        emit(state, 'squash', { kart: a.index });
+      } else if (b.empMs > 0 && a.empMs <= 0 && a.squashMs <= 0 && b.squashMs <= 0) {
+        b.squashMs = physics.squashMs;
+        emit(state, 'squash', { kart: b.index });
+      }
       emit(state, 'bump', { a: a.index, b: b.index });
     }
   }
@@ -809,11 +823,15 @@ export function step(state, playerInputs = kartInputsNeutral()) {
 
   for (const kart of state.karts) {
     // Fresh racing line each lap keeps the AI field from single-filing.
-    if (!kart.isPlayer && kart.lap !== kart.aiLaneLap) {
+    // (Also applies once the player's kart is finished and autopiloted, so
+    // it doesn't robotically hug the centerline during the victory lap.)
+    if ((!kart.isPlayer || kart.finished) && kart.lap !== kart.aiLaneLap) {
       kart.aiLaneLap = kart.lap;
       kart.aiLane = (state.rng() * 2 - 1) * 0.5;
     }
-    const inputs = kart.isPlayer ? playerInputs : computeAiInputs(state, kart);
+    // A finished player kart is handed off to the AI driver for the post-race
+    // vignette — computeAiInputs already works for any kart unmodified.
+    const inputs = (kart.isPlayer && !kart.finished) ? playerInputs : computeAiInputs(state, kart);
     stepKart(state, kart, inputs, dt);
   }
   stepCollisions(state);
@@ -827,9 +845,11 @@ export function step(state, playerInputs = kartInputsNeutral()) {
     } else if (state.karts.every((k) => k.finished)) {
       state.phase = 'finished';
     } else if (player?.finished) {
-      // Player done: let the field coast briefly, then call it.
+      // Player done: wait for the rest of the field to finish too (the
+      // victory-lap vignette plays during this window), with a generous
+      // safety cap in case an AI kart never gets home.
       state.postFinishMs = (state.postFinishMs ?? 0) + STEP_MS;
-      if (state.postFinishMs > 3500) state.phase = 'finished';
+      if (state.postFinishMs > POST_FINISH_SAFETY_MS) state.phase = 'finished';
     }
   }
   return state;
diff --git a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartMode7.js b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartMode7.js
index 7ed5923..d8a70a5 100644
--- a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartMode7.js
+++ b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartMode7.js
@@ -84,7 +84,9 @@ export class SuperKartMode7 {
     this.horizonY = Math.round(GAME_HEIGHT * MODE7.horizonFrac);
     const groundH = GAME_HEIGHT - this.horizonY;
 
-    this.cam = { x: worldSize / 2, y: worldSize / 2, angle: 0 };
+    this.cam = {
+      x: worldSize / 2, y: worldSize / 2, angle: 0, height: MODE7.camHeight, focal: MODE7.focal,
+    };
 
     const base = new Phaser.Display.BaseShader('SuperKartMode7', FRAG, undefined, {
       uQuad:     { type: '2f', value: { x: GAME_WIDTH, y: groundH } },
@@ -103,6 +105,9 @@ export class SuperKartMode7 {
   }
 
   // Follow camera: smoothly chase the kart's heading, sit followDist behind.
+  // Always resets height/focal to the standard values, so normal gameplay
+  // stays identical regardless of what a prior cinematic camera pose left
+  // this.cam in (see setCamera()).
   follow(kart, snap = false) {
     const lerp = snap ? 1 : MODE7.camLerp;
     let diff = (kart.heading - this.cam.angle) % TAU;
@@ -113,14 +118,19 @@ export class SuperKartMode7 {
     const fy = Math.sin(this.cam.angle);
     this.cam.x = kart.x - fx * MODE7.followDist;
     this.cam.y = kart.y - fy * MODE7.followDist;
+    this.cam.height = MODE7.camHeight;
+    this.cam.focal = MODE7.focal;
     this.syncUniforms();
   }
 
-  // Free-fly debug camera (arrow keys in the scene's debug mode).
-  setCamera(x, y, angle) {
+  // Arbitrary camera pose — used by the post-race victory-cam director for
+  // cinematic shots (also the free-fly debug camera hook).
+  setCamera(x, y, angle, height = MODE7.camHeight, focal = MODE7.focal) {
     this.cam.x = x;
     this.cam.y = y;
     this.cam.angle = angle;
+    this.cam.height = height;
+    this.cam.focal = focal;
     this.syncUniforms();
   }
 
@@ -129,6 +139,8 @@ export class SuperKartMode7 {
     u.uCam.value.x = this.cam.x;
     u.uCam.value.y = this.cam.y;
     u.uAngle.value = this.cam.angle;
+    u.uCamH.value = this.cam.height;
+    u.uFocal.value = this.cam.focal;
   }
 
   setFlipY(flip) {
@@ -148,12 +160,12 @@ export class SuperKartMode7 {
     const zc = dx * fx + dy * fy;
     if (zc < MODE7.nearZ || zc > MODE7.farZ) return null;
     const xc = dx * rx + dy * ry;
-    const px = GAME_WIDTH / 2 + (xc * MODE7.focal) / zc;
+    const px = GAME_WIDTH / 2 + (xc * this.cam.focal) / zc;
     if (px < -160 || px > GAME_WIDTH + 160) return null;
     return {
       x: px,
-      y: this.horizonY + (MODE7.camHeight * MODE7.focal) / zc,
-      scale: (MODE7.spriteBase / 64) * (MODE7.focal / zc),
+      y: this.horizonY + (this.cam.height * this.cam.focal) / zc,
+      scale: (MODE7.spriteBase / 64) * (this.cam.focal / zc),
       z: zc,
       fog: Phaser.Math.Clamp((zc - MODE7.fogStart) / (MODE7.fogEnd - MODE7.fogStart), 0, 1),
     };
diff --git a/src/games/superkart/SuperKartVictoryCam.js b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartVictoryCam.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80686ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/games/superkart/SuperKartVictoryCam.js
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+// Post-race victory-cam shot director: pure camera-choreography math, no
+// Phaser dependencies. Companion to SuperKartMode7.js (the camera
+// *mechanism* — an arbitrary x/y/angle/height/focal pose) — this module is
+// the camera *choreography*: given elapsed time and the AI-autopiloted
+// player kart's live world pose, it picks which of a handful of cinematic
+// shots is playing and returns the pose to feed straight into
+// SuperKartMode7#setCamera(x, y, angle, height, focal).
+//
+// Shots hard-cut (no cross-fade/blend) every couple of seconds, in a
+// shuffled order that's reshuffled each time it's exhausted, always opening
+// on the gentlest shot ('chase'). Distances/heights/focal below are
+// deliberately hand-tuned starting points — expect to retune by eye.
+
+import { mulberry32 } from './SuperKartLogic.js';
+
+const TAU = Math.PI * 2;
+
+function shuffle(arr, rng) {
+  const a = arr.slice();
+  for (let i = a.length - 1; i > 0; i -= 1) {
+    const j = Math.floor(rng() * (i + 1));
+    [a[i], a[j]] = [a[j], a[i]];
+  }
+  return a;
+}
+
+function aimAt(camX, camY, kart) {
+  return Math.atan2(kart.y - camY, kart.x - camX);
+}
+
+const SHOTS = {
+  // Pulled-back, elevated version of the normal chase cam — a graceful
+  // establishing shot of the kart cruising its victory lap.
+  chase: {
+    ms: 2400,
+    begin: () => ({}),
+    compute: (t, ms, kart) => {
+      const dist = 92;
+      const fx = Math.cos(kart.heading);
+      const fy = Math.sin(kart.heading);
+      return {
+        x: kart.x - fx * dist, y: kart.y - fy * dist, angle: kart.heading, height: 88, focal: undefined,
+      };
+    },
+  },
+
+  // Camera orbits the kart's live position at a fixed radius, sweeping
+  // ~200° over the shot, always aimed back at the kart.
+  orbit: {
+    ms: 2600,
+    begin: (kart, rng) => ({ startAngle: rng() * TAU, dir: rng() < 0.5 ? 1 : -1 }),
+    compute: (t, ms, kart, anchor) => {
+      const radius = 72;
+      const sweep = Math.PI * 1.15 * anchor.dir;
+      const orbitAngle = anchor.startAngle + (t / ms) * sweep;
+      const x = kart.x + Math.cos(orbitAngle) * radius;
+      const y = kart.y + Math.sin(orbitAngle) * radius;
+      return {
+        x, y, angle: aimAt(x, y, kart), height: 22, focal: 300,
+      };
+    },
+  },
+
+  // Low, wide-lens shot from ahead of the kart on its current heading,
+  // looking back — the kart looms toward camera as it approaches. Recomputed
+  // fresh every frame from the kart's live heading so it can't freeze into a
+  // near-plane pop as the kart turns.
+  front: {
+    ms: 2000,
+    begin: () => ({}),
+    compute: (t, ms, kart) => {
+      const aheadDist = 260;
+      const x = kart.x + Math.cos(kart.heading) * aheadDist;
+      const y = kart.y + Math.sin(kart.heading) * aheadDist;
+      return {
+        x, y, angle: aimAt(x, y, kart), height: 14, focal: 250,
+      };
+    },
+  },
+
+  // Classic fixed trackside camera: a point off to the side of the track,
+  // snapshotted once when the shot begins (pulled slightly behind the kart
+  // so it visibly approaches, passes, and recedes), continuously re-aimed at
+  // the kart as it drives by.
+  trackside: {
+    ms: 2300,
+    begin: (kart, rng) => {
+      const side = rng() < 0.5 ? 1 : -1;
+      const perp = kart.heading + Math.PI / 2;
+      const sideOffset = 150 * side;
+      const behindPull = 90;
+      return {
+        x: kart.x + Math.cos(perp) * sideOffset - Math.cos(kart.heading) * behindPull,
+        y: kart.y + Math.sin(perp) * sideOffset - Math.sin(kart.heading) * behindPull,
+      };
+    },
+    compute: (t, ms, kart, anchor) => ({
+      x: anchor.x, y: anchor.y, angle: aimAt(anchor.x, anchor.y, kart), height: 30, focal: undefined,
+    }),
+  },
+};
+
+const SHOT_POOL = ['chase', 'orbit', 'front', 'trackside'];
+
+export class VictoryCamDirector {
+  constructor(seed = Date.now()) {
+    this.rng = mulberry32(seed >>> 0);
+    this.queue = ['chase']; // always open on the gentlest shot
+    this.curIdx = 0;
+    this.curStartMs = 0;
+    this.anchor = null;
+  }
+
+  start(kart) {
+    this.curIdx = 0;
+    this.curStartMs = 0;
+    this.anchor = SHOTS[this.queue[0]].begin(kart, this.rng);
+    this.justCut = false;
+  }
+
+  // elapsedMs: time since start(). kart: live player kart sim state
+  // ({x, y, heading, ...}). Returns { x, y, angle, height, focal }.
+  // Sets this.justCut = true for the one update() call a hard cut lands on,
+  // so the scene can fire a stinger effect (screen flash/shake) on the cut.
+  update(elapsedMs, kart) {
+    this.justCut = false;
+    let def = SHOTS[this.queue[this.curIdx]];
+    let localT = elapsedMs - this.curStartMs;
+    while (localT >= def.ms) {
+      if (this.queue.length - (this.curIdx + 1) <= 0) this.queue.push(...shuffle(SHOT_POOL, this.rng));
+      this.curIdx += 1;
+      this.curStartMs += def.ms;
+      localT = elapsedMs - this.curStartMs;
+      def = SHOTS[this.queue[this.curIdx]];
+      this.anchor = def.begin(kart, this.rng);
+      this.justCut = true;
+    }
+    return def.compute(localT, def.ms, kart, this.anchor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/scenes/PreloadScene.js b/src/scenes/PreloadScene.js
index 55f232c..5d8adbf 100644
--- a/src/scenes/PreloadScene.js
+++ b/src/scenes/PreloadScene.js
@@ -67,6 +67,19 @@ export default class PreloadScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.load.json('colorado-defense-cities', 'data/colorado-defense-cities.json');
     this.load.json('star-control-ships', 'data/star-control-ships.json');
 
+    this.load.audio('sfx-engine-start', 'assets/fx/engine-start.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-engine-heavy', 'assets/fx/engine-heavy.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-engine-fast', 'assets/fx/engine-fast.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-engine-medium', 'assets/fx/engine-medium.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-engine-rev', 'assets/fx/engine-rev.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-coin', 'assets/fx/kart-coin.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-flatten', 'assets/fx/kart-flatten.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-thump', 'assets/fx/kart-thump.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-shrink', 'assets/fx/kart-shrink.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-spin', 'assets/fx/kart-spin.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-hit', 'assets/fx/kart-hit.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-shell', 'assets/fx/kart-shell.mp3');
+    this.load.audio('sfx-kart-star', 'assets/fx/kart-star.mp3');
     this.load.audio('sfx-water-splash', 'assets/fx/water-splash.mp3');
     this.load.audio('sfx-water-sink',   'assets/fx/water-sink.mp3');
     this.load.audio('sfx-water-raise',  'assets/fx/water-raise.mp3');
diff --git a/src/ui/Sounds.js b/src/ui/Sounds.js
index 99eefba..d24da56 100644
--- a/src/ui/Sounds.js
+++ b/src/ui/Sounds.js
@@ -76,6 +76,19 @@ export const SFX = {
   ENERGY_HUM:            'sfx-energy-hum',
   LASER_ZAP:             'sfx-laser-zap',
   REWIND:                'sfx-rewind',
+  ENGINE_START:          'sfx-engine-start',
+  ENGINE_HEAVY:          'sfx-engine-heavy',
+  ENGINE_FAST:           'sfx-engine-fast',
+  ENGINE_MEDIUM:         'sfx-engine-medium',
+  ENGINE_REV:            'sfx-engine-rev',
+  KART_COIN:             'sfx-kart-coin',
+  KART_FLATTEN:          'sfx-kart-flatten',
+  KART_THUMP:            'sfx-kart-thump',
+  KART_SHRINK:           'sfx-kart-shrink',
+  KART_SPIN:             'sfx-kart-spin',
+  KART_HIT:              'sfx-kart-hit',
+  KART_SHELL:            'sfx-kart-shell',
+  KART_STAR:             'sfx-kart-star',
 };
 
 export function playSound(scene, key) {
diff --git a/tools/verifySuperKart.js b/tools/verifySuperKart.js
index 9c8ae0c..4d08a7f 100644
--- a/tools/verifySuperKart.js
+++ b/tools/verifySuperKart.js
@@ -270,6 +270,39 @@ for (const [ci, engineClass] of rules.engineClasses.entries()) {
   check('deterministic for identical seed', run() === run());
 }
 
+// ── 7. Player autopilot after finishing (post-race victory-lap window) ─────
+// Nothing above exercises playerIndex >= 0 at all — this is the only check
+// that drives the new "AI takes over the player's kart once it's finished"
+// dispatch path and the "wait for the whole field" phase-transition change.
+{
+  const state = createRace({
+    trackModel: model1, rules, engineClass: cls, racers, playerIndex: 0, mode: 'gp', seed: 777,
+  });
+  while (state.phase === 'countdown') step(state, kartInputsNeutral());
+
+  const player = state.karts[0];
+  // Simulate the player crossing the line on the spot, mirroring what the
+  // checkpoint/lap code does at the real finish transition.
+  player.finished = true;
+  player.finishTimeMs = state.timeMs;
+  state.finishOrder.push(player.index);
+  const x0 = player.x;
+  const y0 = player.y;
+
+  let ticks = 0;
+  const cap = 60 * 90; // matches POST_FINISH_SAFETY_MS as an outer bound
+  while (ticks < cap && state.phase === 'racing') {
+    step(state, kartInputsNeutral());
+    ticks += 1;
+  }
+  const moved = Math.hypot(player.x - x0, player.y - y0);
+  check('autopiloted player kart keeps driving after finishing', moved > 50, `moved ${moved.toFixed(1)} units`);
+  check('field is allowed to finish rather than being cut off early',
+    state.karts.every((k) => k.finished),
+    `${state.karts.filter((k) => k.finished).length}/9 finished after ${Math.round(ticks / 60)}s, phase=${state.phase}`);
+  check('race phase ends up finished', state.phase === 'finished', `phase=${state.phase}`);
+}
+
 // Countdown export used by the scene HUD timer.
 check('COUNTDOWN_MS sane', COUNTDOWN_MS > 2000 && COUNTDOWN_MS < 6000);