Testing the XB-SF
It’s been a really rewarding last 8 months testing the new Xbility SF kit.
I started working on initial elements in late Jan and Feb. These were mostly individual parts to test ideas and concepts vs a full kit. Most of this early work centered around the side spring area. Then slowly additional pieces started to follow leading up to my trip to visit to Porto where José and I tested what we had at the time.
Video calls, video recordings of practice laps, and discussions followed through the spring and summer with the testing team. Version 1 of the kit came early summer and we quickly cut through a number of design changes. V2 landed based on feedback our feedback; slight shifts, a change here, other considerations there. It was drinking from the firehose and very rewarding to be among such amazing, grounded, yet highly knowledgeable people driving towards a goal to make something WE wanted to drive and own. Wow.
There were many times after testing a part I’d say it would never get any better, only to pull out the v3 part and laugh out loud as the laps got faster, easier to drive.
There were also many frustrating days. Being a tester in this group basically means ripping your car apart at least two times a week. Rebuilding regardless of performance. It’s about the testing and it’s all tossed when the new parts arrive and the next round of testing starts. Everything is measured. Everything is documented. Everything is shared back to the team. You can’t hide your shitty driving, your lack of knowledge or your mistakes.
It’s a deeply humbling experience and I’m grateful to have every min with these guys. Wow did I learn a ton!
Speed and setup analysis
I’m adding my most recent setup sheet, a handful of photos, and the latest video of my setup testing video from this week as a marker in time. I can’t say the setup is perfect, I’m always tweaking here or there but this is where I’m landing this week. My testing work really has combined all of my knowledge with technology, software design, photo and video, and a healthy curious manner. Hope you enjoy the deep dive!
PS - Some of this will land shortly on the Team Xbility site along with setup sheets from almost all the testers. I think we are all a bit excited as the world receives the kits soon. Looking forward to all the great fun everyone will have.
Team Xbility Support / XbilityRC.com
