Big bore shocks are used on all four corners, which give greater consistency from run to run, longer time between rebuilds, and a higher resolution of tuning options.
This year's Worlds proved to be the first time the Pro 5 hit the track in a competitive atmosphere, and while team drivers Andy Moore and JJ Wang only barely missed the A-Main given their relative lack of testing time compared to the larger teams the car showed plenty of potential. The Pro 5 looks poised to add to HB's history of capturing touring car championships around the world.
Team HB are making their race debut here in Kissimmee with their all new Pro 5 platform. As to be expected it is somewhat of a conventional layout and configuration but as with almost all touring cars on the market it is the details that matter. With only the rear uprights and the front driveshafts carried over from its predecessor the car has been completely revamped. Up front the steering knuckles have keyed carbon levers for adjusting the Ackermann, the floating steering servo mount features an integrated antenna holder and battery stop.
The motor mount has been lowered and integrated with the centre pulley mount and through its three top deck mounts can be used to adjust the flex of the car. Probably the most unique feature on the car is its infinitely adjustable inner camber link mount. Completing the changes are big bore shocks, guided lower suspension blocks and bigger pulleys. Factory team drivers Andy Moore and JJ Wang, who are using the new car here, have been extremely positive about the Pro 5’s performance in pre event testing and even with limited practice here in Florida are already very pleased with their new ride.
The All-New HB PRO5 is Here
The world-famous HB racing team has been developing the HB PRO5 for over a year, striving to take everything learned with previous HB touring cars and roll up this knowledge into a world-beating electric touring car. Drivers like former World Champion Andy Moore and up-and-coming racer JJ Wang have been giving feedback directly to HB designers and team mates in an effort to make the PRO5 the ultimate touring car racer for RC professionals and club racers around the world.
Taking the HB PRO5 global as a development chassis and regularly racing against the world's best drivers gives Team HB the opportunity to give the PRO5 a real trial by fire. Updates to the car are tested in the most strenuous conditions to give HB drivers a real comparison to other cars and against the most unrelenting competition. Week by week, new changes are rolled out to the Team HB drivers so they can make consistent updates as they battle door-to-door with the best of the best. This all adds up to the HB PRO5 being a completely new and totally fresh design, full of innovation and brand new parts.
At first glance, the PRO5 is a standard double-deck touring car, however it's only when you look closely that you notice the fine new details and all-new parts. The main chassis is cut from 2.25mm woven carbon fiber, fitted with 7075 aluminium bulkheads. The design of the motor and layshaft mount is all new, for better weight distribution and efficiency. A 2mm woven carbon fiber upper deck sits on top of the aluminum bulkheads, sandwiching the drivetrain in place. A high-efficiency drive belt and alloy pulleys are standard equipment on the PRO5, and large 40-tooth pulleys at each end surround the new extra-large rear gear diff and the front solid spool. DCJ-style front universals and standard rear universals are driven by alloy diff outdrives for a supremely low rotating weight, and clamp-style hex adapters are securely fitted to the drive axles. The front hex adapters have an extra-thin narrow profile, allowing you to easily alter the front track width for an optimized steering feel for your driving style.
The suspenion features a huge number of updates and is full of completly new parts, including the thick woven carbon fiber shock towers, threaded aluminium big bore shocks and totally new suspension arms. New easy-access ball cups mean you can change roll centers quickly using shims, and of course a complete set of turnbuckles are fitted as standard equipment. With ultra-precise steering a requirement for all touring car racers, the PRO5 is fitted with reliable bearing-supported bellcrank steering for extra-smooth action, using alloy arms for strength and durability.
The Ackermann setting is easily adjustable using orange-anodized shims, and the steering turnbuckles connect to woven lightweight
carbon fiber steering arms. The PRO5 also features a woven carbon fiber floating servo mount and floating battery mount to allow the
chassis to flex properly for consistent handling in all conditions.
Rounding out the HB PRO5 are adjustable front and rear sway bars, alloy ball bearing belt tensioner, integrated antenna mounting, fine pitch body post adjustments, and a super slick black and carbon fiber look with orange aluminum color accents throughout the car.
The HB PRO5 is purpose-built from the ground up to be competitive for club racers and international racing stars, right from the start.
Interview about the HB PRO5 with JJ Wang
JJ is rapidly developing into one of the fastest touring car racers in the world, and has featured on Team HB since 2013.
When did you first drive the car and what involvement have you had with its development?
I first drove the PRO5 couple in late 2014, and the first major race for me was the ISTC worlds. I am happy to be involved in the process of making the PRO5, with the main designer Hara-tune, Hiro and Andy.
What do you think are the PRO5's best features?
I think the one feature that makes the car unique is our infinite selections of camber links, this makes it easier for us to make fine adjustments to the car. The PRO5 is designed so precisely that we not only focused on the geometry of the car, but we also focused on all the small details that make this car so flawless. Also, it fits both carpet and asphalt racing because the car has quickness and stability at the same time. I believe the PRO5 can be equally fast on both surfaces.
The PRO5 performs well when driven by pro drivers like you, but do you think it will also be good for club racers?
One thing for sure is that the PRO5 fits all drivers, the car is so easy to drive right out of the box and we made sure the car is both competitive and fun to drive.
HB PRO5 Features
- 2.25mm woven carbon fiber main chassis
- 2mm woven carbon fiber upper deck
- 7075 aluminum front and rear bulkheads
- New optimized motor mount for central weight
- New layshaft mount design
- Alloy center pullies
- High efficiency Kevlar-reinforced drive belts for an extra-smooth drivetrain
- Updated rear gear diff with 40-tooth pulley
- 40-tooth front spool
- Alloy diff outdrives
- Rear universals
- Front DCJ universals
- Fully adjustable suspension (wheelbase, camber, caster, ride height and more)
- Woven carbon fiber shock towers with multiple shock mounting positions
- Threaded aluminum coilover big bore regular length shocks
- Centralized lower weight distribution provides superb balance
- Floating woven carbon fiber and alloy servo mount
- Bellcrank steering with dual alloy arms
- Adjustable Ackermann integrated into steering arm & servo saver
- Woven carbon fiber steering arms
- All-new suspension arms and uprights
- Modular inner camber link mount with shim adjustments for infinite adjustability
- Easy-access ball cups
- Clamping style hex hub adapters
- Narrow front hex hubs
- Fine pitch body posts
- Floating battery mount for optimal chassis flex
- New foam bumper with clamping bumper mount
- Alloy belt tensioner with ball bearing
- Front and rear sway bars
- Metric hardware throughout
- Orange-anodized aluminum color accents
Specification
- Total length: 353mm
- Overall width: 190mm
- Wheelbase: 254-260mm (adjustable)
- Supplied in kit form only, assembly required
- Requires motor, pinion gear, speed controller, radio, receiver, servo, body, paint, tires, CA glue, wheels
The HB PRO5 Kit
Arrives March
#114500 HB PRO5Kit
