Watch Matias test new HB and Orion equipment at RBR36 Arena [VIDEO]

0 March 10, 2016, 11:12 a.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Portuguese veteran off-road racer switched from XRAY to HB, with Team Orion power, a couple of weeks ago - a surprising move when HB-HPI Racing has lost nearly its entire on-road racing team. Matias has been practicing on the new indoor off-road track at Robert Batlle's RBR36 Arena in Spain, and Spanish RC news site InfoRC shot a video of the former Worlds podium finisher shaking down his new ride.

From InfoRC:
www.inforc.net

Today I am here to bring you an exclusive video of Miguel Matias first laps with his HB/Orion combo. RBR36 Arena of Robert Batlle has been the place chose by Matias to spend a training week and prepare all his new package for the new season.

Matias said: “My new car is very different to the one before, with a lot more of steering and traction, which is something I really like. This difference and the new engine made us decide coming to RBR36 Arena to test and prepare everything for the new season. During this week here I have tested differentials and suspensions, but in the end, the base setup came to be a good choice for a track like this, so we ended up using it with some small changes.

I have tried thicker diff oils but in the end I feel more comfortable with thinner. In suspensions we tested pistons of 5, 6 and 8 holes, but the car’s traction did not suffer great changes. What we felt as a positive change was the 5+5 pistons, greatly improving the big jumps landing, making the car more comfortable.

RBR36 Arena facilities are perfect for training, with a nice and technical layout and although being slightly slippery, results really funny. I want to say thanks to my sponsors for trusting me.

We will keep on training here in RBR Arena until friday, to prepare everything fine.”