diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 0afeeaafd8..c81072cfc6 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "wled",
-  "version": "0.16.0-dev",
+  "version": "0.16.0-alpha",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "wled",
-      "version": "0.16.0-dev",
+      "version": "0.16.0-alpha",
       "license": "ISC",
       "dependencies": {
         "clean-css": "^5.3.3",
diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index 5b1b212656..0b37c5056b 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 # CI/release binaries
-default_envs = nodemcuv2, esp8266_2m, esp01_1m_full, nodemcuv2_160, esp8266_2m_160, esp01_1m_full_160, nodemcuv2_compat, esp8266_2m_compat, esp01_1m_full_compat, esp32dev, esp32dev_V4, esp32_eth, lolin_s2_mini, esp32c3dev, esp32s3dev_16MB_opi, esp32s3dev_8MB_opi, esp32s3_4M_qspi, esp32_wrover
-
+#default_envs = nodemcuv2, esp8266_2m, esp01_1m_full, nodemcuv2_160, esp8266_2m_160, esp01_1m_full_160, nodemcuv2_compat, esp8266_2m_compat, esp01_1m_full_compat, esp32dev, esp32dev_V4, esp32_eth, lolin_s2_mini, esp32c3dev, esp32s3dev_16MB_opi, esp32s3dev_8MB_opi, esp32s3_4M_qspi, esp32_wrover
+default_envs = esp32dev
 src_dir  = ./wled00
 data_dir = ./wled00/data
 build_cache_dir = ~/.buildcache
diff --git a/wled00/FX.cpp b/wled00/FX.cpp
index 8d3e71b94d..f5b1f7b53f 100644
--- a/wled00/FX.cpp
+++ b/wled00/FX.cpp
@@ -925,6 +925,49 @@ static uint16_t chase(uint32_t color1, uint32_t color2, uint32_t color3, bool do
   return FRAMETIME;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Chase_Race function to allow 3 colored bands to race along the LEDs with black between the colors.
+ * color1, color2, and color3 = colors of the three leaders in the race
+ */
+
+uint16_t chase_race(uint32_t color1, uint32_t color2, uint32_t color3)
+{
+  uint16_t counter = strip.now * ((SEGMENT.speed >> 2) + 1);
+  uint16_t a = (counter * SEGLEN) >> 16;
+
+  // Use intensity setting to vary chase up to 1/2 string length
+  unsigned size = 1 + ((SEGMENT.intensity * SEGLEN) >> 10);
+  unsigned gap = 1 + size / 4; // Smaller black band size as a fraction of color size
+
+  // Calculate positions for each color band
+  uint16_t positions[] = {
+      a,                                 // Start of color1
+      (a + size) % SEGLEN,               // End of color1
+      (a + size + gap) % SEGLEN,         // Start of color2
+      (a + size * 2 + gap) % SEGLEN,     // End of color2
+      (a + size * 2 + gap * 2) % SEGLEN, // Start of color3
+      (a + size * 3 + gap * 2) % SEGLEN  // End of color3
+  };
+
+  // Define compact lambda for filling LED segments using modulo
+  auto fillSegment = [](uint16_t start, uint16_t end, uint32_t color)
+  {
+    for (unsigned count = 0; count < SEGLEN && count < end - start + (end < start ? SEGLEN : 0); count++)
+    {
+      SEGMENT.setPixelColor((start + count) % SEGLEN, color);
+    }
+  };
+
+  // Set background to black
+  SEGMENT.fill(0);
+
+  // Fill the three color segments
+  fillSegment(positions[0], positions[1], color1);
+  fillSegment(positions[2], positions[3], color2);
+  fillSegment(positions[4], positions[5], color3);
+
+  return FRAMETIME;
+}
 
 /*
  * Bicolor chase, more primary color.
@@ -934,6 +977,14 @@ uint16_t mode_chase_color(void) {
 }
 static const char _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_COLOR[] PROGMEM = "Chase@!,Width;!,!,!;!";
 
+/* 
+* Chase Race with 3 color strips 
+*/
+uint16_t mode_chase_race()
+{
+  return chase_race(SEGCOLOR(0), SEGCOLOR(1), SEGCOLOR(2));  
+}
+static const char _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_RACE[] PROGMEM = "Chase Race@!,Width;!,!,!;!";
 
 /*
  * Primary running followed by random color.
@@ -10192,6 +10243,7 @@ void WS2812FX::setupEffectData() {
   addEffect(FX_MODE_BLINK_RAINBOW, &mode_blink_rainbow, _data_FX_MODE_BLINK_RAINBOW);
   addEffect(FX_MODE_ANDROID, &mode_android, _data_FX_MODE_ANDROID);
   addEffect(FX_MODE_CHASE_COLOR, &mode_chase_color, _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_COLOR);
+  addEffect(FX_MODE_CHASE_RACE, &mode_chase_race, _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_RACE);
   addEffect(FX_MODE_CHASE_RANDOM, &mode_chase_random, _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_RANDOM);
   addEffect(FX_MODE_CHASE_RAINBOW, &mode_chase_rainbow, _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_RAINBOW);
   addEffect(FX_MODE_CHASE_FLASH, &mode_chase_flash, _data_FX_MODE_CHASE_FLASH);
diff --git a/wled00/FX.h b/wled00/FX.h
index 3544e1fa7f..1c1e4a8de6 100644
--- a/wled00/FX.h
+++ b/wled00/FX.h
@@ -351,8 +351,8 @@ extern byte realtimeMode;           // used in getMappedPixelIndex()
 #define FX_MODE_PS1DGEQ                212
 #define FX_MODE_PSFIRE1D               213
 #define FX_MODE_PS1DSONICSTREAM        214
-#define MODE_COUNT                     215
-
+#define FX_MODE_CHASE_RACE             215
+#define MODE_COUNT                     216
 
 #define BLEND_STYLE_FADE            0x00  // universal
 #define BLEND_STYLE_FAIRY_DUST      0x01  // universal