Permas Circuit Guide

May 26, 2008

ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR TIMING is to find the most optimum line around a track. This is called the Racing Line. This is the line that a racer takes in an ideal dry track condition. The racing line is generally taken in order to minimize reduction in speed or to maintain speed momentum from corner to corner, section to section.

Here I bring you my own personal assessment of what the racing line at Permas Karting Circuit should be. It is based on my driving style so you might need to adjust it to your own. The following guide is written for karters who are driving the fun-kart 80 cc. I need to point out that I take no responsibility whatsoever for mishaps or injuries that you may experience when experimenting with my racing line.

Firstly a brief description of the Permas track. Here I’m referring to the outer 0.9 km configuration outlined in red above. This track is considered to be a high speed track with several sections which you can conquer without lifting your throttle and go at maximum speed. This means the section between 1 to 5 can be taken flat out, but only if you get your racing lines correct and have an ideally setup kart with proper grip.

Before I end, I’d like to highlight that there are four main overtaking corners at sections #1, #5, #7, and #8. Review the tips above if you are attempting to overtake. I’m planning to write another article on race strategies & tactics including how to overtake. Stay tuned for that.

So there you have it. It is a pity that this track will close soon but for those of you participating in the upcoming 2 hour team endurance race, this might come pretty handy. If not the techniques highlighted above are learning points that can be applied at other tracks.

Good luck and see you at the track! Do leave your own personal experience and/or tips below!

*The images above are taken from screenshots found on internet public domains. If they are yours and would like them credited to you please contact me

Let’s start at the main straight.

★(Main Straight) As you approach this left hander you will see a small white grass patch on your right. Choose this as your braking point. Do a quick double-tap on your brakes before steering your wheel to the left to hit the left apex. You will need to be smooth with your turn, if not you will loose your rear end grip and spin. Many beginners experience this.

★(Section #1) Have your left front & back wheels run over the apex. That’s the whitish line on your left. Remember that your kart is wider at the back so make sure you have enough room to clear your kart’s rear. After this maintain your speed without swinging too much to your right where the tyre wall is. The optimum line is to be about 1 kart width away from the tyre wall. Maintain your speed and get ready for the next portion: the double right hander.

★(Section #2 & #3) If you get the first and second points right, you’ll have optimum speed to tackle the double right hander and maintain top speed all the way to section #4. This double right hander is straight forward: hit the first apex on the right while pointing your kart outwards to the left side of the track, then aim your kart back to the right to hit the second apex. Lots of karters turn too tight after the first apex, loose grip and spin out.

★ (Section #4) Pedal to the metal in this slight up hill straight. If your kart has enough grip & balance you can conquer the right kink corner without lifting your throttle. If you manage to do that you will quickly find yourself almost being thrown to the grassy run-off area on your left. Swallow your fear and bring your kart straight. In the absence of good grip, slightly lift your throttle before and after this right kink apex. Once you’ve cleared this section you are now ready for the twisty back portion of the track.

★(Between #4 & #5) This is a good and safe place to overtake karter who took the right kink corner conservatively. Head all the way up. Many beginners follow the outline of the section here, don’t do that and instead maintain as straight a line as possible. Before approaching the short double right hander, brake medium-to-hard at about 2 kart lengths before the turn. But make sure you are braking when your kart is line up straight.

★(Section #5 & #6) This section is a shorter and quicker version of sections #2 & #3 so it should be tackled similarly. After the first apex, bring your kart close to the wall section on your left then turn gently back to the second right apex. You will experience the most G-Force here than at any other section of the track. After clearing this use the entire left section of the track. Again be gentle and don’t spin.

★(Section #7) The second last hairpin. Many karters brake too late & spin while trying to turn left sharply. The correct braking point is about 2 kart length before the orange cone on your right. Point your kart towards it, apply medium-to-hard brake, then steer gently but sharply to the left. Remember, brake while your kart is straight & hit the left apex. As soon as you leave the apex, apply 40% throttle without swinging too much to the right tyre wall. If your turning radius is too wide you will loose time.

★(Section #8 to Main Straight Section) Believe it or not, this final hairpin is the most important corner at Permas. Once again, apply medium brakes here before turning right. After this turn, most karters will take the inner right-most lane. Don’t! Instead maintain 30-40% throttle during the apex and head to the left-most lane as if you are about to enter the pit garage (see last picture below). This allows you to utilize the full width of the track. If done correctly you will have a faster exit speed than most karters which will then allow you to overtake at the main straight or outbrake your opponent before the first fast left-hander at section #1. This is what makes the last hairpin so important.

Other tips to remember:

•Memorize your braking points.
•If you brake hard, simulate ABS to avoid locking up your rear.
•Always hit your apex zones.
•Overtake on the inside lane.
•Safety first, karting can be dangerous.