Need a hand learning how to play Uma Racing? We've all had the exact same first experience jumping into this Roblox racing game. You approach the stall to begin your first-ever race, watch the epic preamble, get ready, the doors open and then... nothing. All your competitors launch down the track while you slowly and sheepishly stroll forward, furiously tapping every combination of random keys you can to figure out how they're running so darn fast.

If you too have been afflicted by this devastatingly common travesty, we're here to help. Uma Racing has some pretty tricky controls to lock down, and plenty of mechanics that are, at first, obscure. But I've mashed enough buttons to figure out exactly how to channel my inner anime horse girl, and I will now pass that cursed information onto you. So, if you want to learn the basics of how to run, and the mechanics you need to manage while doing it, here's exactly how to play Uma Racing.

TLDR: Basic Controls

We'll cover all the individual mechanics that make up Uma Racing below, but if you just want to know how on earth you use Zone, here's a quick look at the controls:

• Sprint - Alternate between pressing Q and E or the left and right mouse buttons repeatedly.
• Sprint (with SHIFT gameplay enabled) - Hold SHIFT
• Change Camera Mode - CTRL
• Spurt - R
• Special Ability - F
• Zone - G

If you want any extra detail on any of these mechanics, click below to jump to each of our sections explaining how they work:

• How to sprint
• How to change your camera controls
• How to manage your stamina
• Completing Corner Recovery mini-games
• How to use Spurt
• How to use special abilities
• How to use Zone

How to sprint

The first thing you'll no doubt want to learn is how to sprint. You'll probably think that's simple. Press forward and start shooting down the track. But sprinting in Uma Racing is a little more involved than you'd expect.

If you're on a keyboard, the standard way to run is alternating between pressing Q and E repeatedly or the left and right mouse buttons repeatedly. For my money, Q and E seem to work significantly better and builds speed faster though. As you get into a rhythm of mashing each key in succession, you will build speed incrementally.

I'll give you a useful early-game tip, though. While the tapping sprint method does have its perks, especially in the fact that you can max out your acceleration quicker, there is a method that's much less cumbersome and will result in fewer aching hand cramps.

If you head into the menu while in the pre-game lobby and browse the "settings" tab, you'll see an option labelled "SHIFT Gameplay." Turn this on and you'll be able to build and manage your sprint just by holding and releasing the SHIFT key. If you plug in a controller, you'll automatically use the same sprint style, just attached to holding down both the left and right triggers instead.

There are perks and drawbacks to this style, namely that the tapping format gives you more control over how quickly you build speed. But, if you're just starting out, SHIFT gameplay is much simpler and you don't have to adopt a crab pincer finger formation to run normally.

How to change your camera controls

Another quick fix that will set you up for success is to attach your camera to your mouse movements. That way, you can focus on sprinting and using special abilities, and just use the mouse to easily change direction.

To change the camera controls, press CTRL. That should toggle the camera so it moves with your mouse, meaning you no longer have to hold the right mouse button to manoeuvre it.

If you want to switch it back to peruse through the menus in the lobby, you can toggle camera modes by pressing CTRL again.

How to manage your stamina

Now you know how to sprint, let's cover the evil system hellbent on preventing you from enjoying it. While in a race, you'll notice two bars just beside your character. The bar on the left will gradually fill as you sprint. This is your speed meter. The higher it is, the faster you're sprinting.

However, you'll notice there's a white notch on the speed meter. I'll call everything above this white notch the max speed zone. If your current speed goes into the max speed zone, the bar on the right will begin to deplete. That's because this bar is your stamina meter. Stamina is the main resource you'll want to manage while racing, as the moment it hits zero, you'll stop moving and need to build your speed back up again.

That means the trick to Uma Racing is learning how to make your speed and your stamina live in beautiful harmony. My tip is to sit just below the max speed zone so you're moving quickly without burning stamina, then dip into it when you hit long straights where you need an edge. Just remember to take your foot off the gas when your stamina is looking dicey. It's hard to recover, so you should pick the spots where you're willing to expend it wisely.

Completing Corner Recovery mini-games

Luckily, stamina is recoverable. Every time you sit below the max speed zone, you'll passively recover stamina, but it'll be arduously slow. To really get a chunk back, you'll want to be prepared whenever you see a corner approaching. As you turn into one, you'll be hit with the Corner Recovery mini-game.

A strange reference point, for sure, but this mini-game acts similarly to the generator mini-game in Dead by Daylight. You'll see a dial with an arrow quickly rotating around it. When the arrow enters the pink zone of the dial, you'll need to hit the SPACE bar to complete the mini-game. If you manage to go through three or four of these successfully, you'll earn back a big chunk of stamina.

How to use Spurt

Now you've got sprinting and stamina down, it's time to incorporate some other useful, physics-defying tricks to eek out a win. The first is a useful little speed boost that every Uma can use: Spurt.

Spurt is to Uma Racing what the mushroom is to Mario Kart. When activated, it will launch you forward, allowing you to cover distance quickly. You can use it at any time by hitting the R key. However, you'll want to do it sparingly.

Spurt can only be used twice per race, and you'll really want to rely on it when you need an extra speed boost to get ahead. Make sure you're monitoring how many Spurts you've used, how many are left over, and what would be the opportune time to use them.

How to use special abilities

As you spend your hard-earned winnings on rolling new Umas to equip, you'll notice they come with special abilities you can use during races. These special abilities vary in style and have very different uses, but you'll be able to activate them whenever you need an edge.

To use a special ability, press the F key and you'll activate it. Much like Spurt though, these usually have a limited number of uses per race, so make sure you want to use it before you commit to activating it.

How to use Zone

Outside of standard special abilities, you'll also have access to an incredibly useful power called Zone. Zone allows your character to essentially aura farm their way into ultimate racing form, giving you a huge speed and stamina boost.

As you race down the track, you'll notice a meter at the bottom of the screen filling up. This is your Zone meter. When it reaches full, you can press the G key to activate your Zone ability, cueing a short cutscene where your character will ascend and claim ultimate power.

As with Spurt and special abilities, though, use your aura farming final form wisely. In my experience, you pretty much always want to use it in the final stretch of the race, where you can hopefully utilise it to bypass anyone in front of you or escape those lingering close behind. As you reach the final corner, be sure to rely on it as a final burst to carry you over the finish line.

With the controls down, it's time to go out there and become a legend on the track. After you've got to grips with your newfound racing potential, why not head over to our Uma Racing codes page to redeem yourself some free cash you can exchange for new Umas? Or, if you're looking to get to grips with a few other games, you can always check out our full list of Roblox guides here. We're covering plenty of the latest and greatest Roblox experiences, so there's sure to be something that matches the thrill of dominating the circuit.