## Godot-Specific Tips
* **VehicleBody3D**: Godot's built-in node for vehicle physics. It's decent for arcade, but for sims, you might want a custom RayCast suspension.
* **Path3D / PathFollow3D**: Excellent for simple AI traffic or fixed-path racers (on-rails).
* **AudioBus**: Use the `Doppler` effect on the AudioListener for realistic passing sounds.
* **SubViewport**: Use for the rear-view mirror or minimap texture.
## Common Pitfalls
1. **Floaty Physics**: Cars feel like they are on ice. **Fix**: Increase gravity scale (2x-3x) and adjust wheel friction. Realism < Fun.
2. **Bad Camera**: Camera is rigidly attached to the car. **Fix**: Use a `Marker3D` with a `lerp` script to follow the car smoothly with a slight delay.
3. **Tunnel Vision**: No sense of speed. **Fix**: Increase FOV as speed increases, add camera shake, wind lines, and motion blur.
## Reference
> Progressive disclosure: open Official Documentation links only when researching a specific API; load Related Skills when routing to a peer domain — do not preload the whole lattice.
### Official Documentation
- [VehicleBody3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_vehiclebody3d.html) — built-in chassis forces, steering, and engine_force integration for arcade/sim hybrids.
- [VehicleWheel3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_vehiclewheel3d.html) — per-wheel friction_slip, suspension, and skidinfo used by drift and tire-smoke logic.
- [Rigid body](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/physics/rigid_body.html) — RigidBody3D force/impulse discipline for custom raycast vehicles and drift-boost impulses.
- [Ray-casting](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/physics/ray-casting.html) — RayCast3D suspension, ground contact, and look-ahead probes without full nav mesh queries.
- [Path3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_path3d.html) — racing-line curves that spline AI and track spawners sample each physics tick.
- [Curve3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_curve3d.html) — baked samples and up-vectors for banked track props and look-ahead steering points.
- [Area3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_area3d.html) — checkpoint gates and slipstream draft volumes with body_entered ownership.
- [Camera3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_camera3d.html) — FOV and follow transforms that sell sense-of-speed without rigid mount sickness.
- [Controllers, gamepads, and joysticks](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/inputs/controllers_gamepads_joysticks.html) — analog steer/throttle deadzones and force-feedback routing for racing pads.
- [Audio streams](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/audio/audio_streams.html) — pitch_scale / player setup for RPM-mapped engine loops and Doppler pass-bys.
- [Environment and post-processing](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/3d/environment_and_post_processing.html) — motion blur and camera attributes that reinforce high-speed FOV ramps.
- [Binary serialization API](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/io/binary_serialization_api.html) — compact ghost/replay transform storage via FileAccess store_var.
### Related Skills
#### Prerequisites
- [godot-project-foundations](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-project-foundations/SKILL.md) — scene tree, InputMap actions, and Project Settings physics layers before wiring VehicleBody3D tracks.
- [godot-physics-3d](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-physics-3d/SKILL.md) — RigidBody3D/VehicleBody3D integration, collision layers, and gravity scale patterns racing handling depends on.
- [godot-input-handling](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-input-handling/SKILL.md) — analog axes, just-pressed gear/drift taps, and gamepad deadzone curves for steering authority.
#### Complements
- [godot-camera-systems](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-camera-systems/SKILL.md) — smooth follow, FOV ramps, and shake that sell speed without rigid camera mounts.
- [godot-audio-systems](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-audio-systems/SKILL.md) — bus layout, Doppler, and layered engine/tire loops beyond a single pitch_scale mapping.
- [godot-raycasting-queries](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-raycasting-queries/SKILL.md) — suspension rays, surface probes, and look-ahead casts shared with custom kart controllers.
- [godot-ai-navigation](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-ai-navigation/SKILL.md) — when spline rubber-banding is not enough and opponents need NavigationAgent3D detours around blockers.
- [godot-particles](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-particles/SKILL.md) — tire smoke, sparks, and trail meshes gated by skidinfo instead of per-frame GPUParticles spam.
- [godot-signal-architecture](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-signal-architecture/SKILL.md) — lap_completed, checkpoint, and race-state signals without cross-scene ownership loops.
- [godot-ui-containers](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-ui-containers/SKILL.md) — speedometer, lap timer, and minimap HUD layout that stays readable at race pace.
#### Downstream / consumers
- [godot-monte-carlo-balancer](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-monte-carlo-balancer/SKILL.md) — sample rubber-band curves, drift-boost windows, and AI look-ahead knobs for competitive fairness.
- [godot-economy-system](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-economy-system/SKILL.md) — post-race currency and part upgrades that consume lap/placement outcomes from this genre loop.
- [godot-save-load-systems](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-save-load-systems/SKILL.md) — persist ghost binaries, best laps, and unlock state built on race recordings.
#### Master
- [godot-master](https://github.com/thedivergentai/gd-agentic-skills/blob/main/skills/godot-master/SKILL.md) — library router and mirrored module entry for cross-skill discovery.
