GETTING A TASTE OF 390cc karts at Permas was an exhilarating experience. Together with several friends we went up to the Permas Kart to feel the difference between the fun-karts 80cc and the 4-strokes 390cc karts. The fun-karts are generally rated at about 5-6 horsepowers whereas the 390cc are generally around 10-11 horsepowers. Under the hands of a good karter the 390cc can clock a time that is about 3-4 seconds faster. Although that might not seem a lot, the 390cc karts really tests the karters’ skills and guts. The best time clocked during the 2nd practice session was by Melvin at 49.34 seconds around the outer rim 0.9km Permas track. The fastest during the 1st practice session was 48.39, set by Ahmad Rizal. Download the Complete Practice Time Sheet here.

In both the practice sessions, we saw many spins in turn 1, turn 3, and the 2nd last hairpin before the main straight. The spins are mainly due to over-braking which causes the rear end of the kart to wobble and loose grip. Once common technique to overcome this is to engage in intermittent braking, ie mimicking how ABS would work in a normal car, and to brake while on a straight line, rather than cornering and braking. Several karters were also involved in close nose to tail racing and overtaking maneuvers.

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