diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index b65dea249..5e930dd6b 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -3650,7 +3650,7 @@ static void K_SpawnDriftElectricity(player_t *player)
 	}
 }
 
-static void K_SpawnDriftElectricSparks(player_t *player)
+void K_SpawnDriftElectricSparks(player_t *player)
 {
 	SINT8 hdir, vdir, i;
 
@@ -3665,6 +3665,10 @@ static void K_SpawnDriftElectricSparks(player_t *player)
 	fixed_t sparkradius = 2 * mobjinfo[MT_DRIFTELECTRICSPARK].radius;
 	UINT16 color = K_DriftSparkColor(player, player->driftcharge);
 
+	// if the sparks are spawned from first blood rather than drift boost, color will be SKINCOLOR_NONE. ew!
+	if (color == SKINCOLOR_NONE)
+		color = SKINCOLOR_SILVER;
+
 	for (hdir = -1; hdir <= 1; hdir += 2)
 	{
 		for (vdir = -1; vdir <= 1; vdir += 2)
diff --git a/src/k_kart.h b/src/k_kart.h
index 766e6417b..ad254822c 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.h
+++ b/src/k_kart.h
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ INT16 K_GetKartTurnValue(player_t *player, INT16 turnvalue);
 INT32 K_GetKartDriftSparkValue(player_t *player);
 INT32 K_GetKartDriftSparkValueForStage(player_t *player, UINT8 stage);
 void K_SpawnDriftBoostExplosion(player_t *player, int stage);
+void K_SpawnDriftElectricSparks(player_t *player);
 void K_KartUpdatePosition(player_t *player);
 mobj_t *K_CreatePaperItem(fixed_t x, fixed_t y, fixed_t z, angle_t angle, SINT8 flip, UINT8 type, UINT8 amount);
 void K_DropItems(player_t *player);
diff --git a/src/p_spec.c b/src/p_spec.c
index 652640e49..248d20d6b 100644
--- a/src/p_spec.c
+++ b/src/p_spec.c
@@ -1897,6 +1897,7 @@ static void K_HandleLapIncrement(player_t *player)
 				S_StartSound(player->mo, sfx_s23c);
 				player->startboost = 125;
 				K_SpawnDriftBoostExplosion(player, 4);
+				K_SpawnDriftElectricSparks(player);
 				rainbowstartavailable = false;
 			}