Although not that it proclaimed a separate chapter out-of creation of Escort Mk2’s

  • The bodyshell are founded since white you could, all of the rubbish out-of undesired topic is actually removed
  • Leading suspension supports was indeed moved to bring large track and you will a whole lot more castor
  • Bottom suspension system brackets was basically hung to include maximum traction, back and front song are an equivalent
  • Bilstein suspension, 170lb front springs, 146lb solitary leaf rear springs
  • The initial car getting installing with metal x package arches, fabricated in-house at the Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac introduced autos having John throughout the his rally mix industry. That it Mk2 Escort are a duplicate of the automobile brought having Martin Schanche in the past, aside from the Ford motor which had a Chevrolet Vega cylinder lead with big skill and you will lead particular 3 hundred BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Business Rally Party

Gartrac was created aware a year in advance you to definitely Ford perform getting taking out out of business rallying to pay attention to development the fresh new Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is welcome so you’re able to a conference at Boreham and you can try informed the fresh new works Escort Mk2 rally development is arriving at an enthusiastic stop.

Rothmans, brand new sponsors from Ford’s community rally energy in the 1979, desired to continue their involvement on the athletics and molded the new Rothmans world rally class which had been to perform Escort Mk2’s for Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen inside 1980. The latest class would be to getting handled of the David Sutton which Gartrac got previously worked with and their deals with Ford buyers Clark & Simpson.

The group is depending at the David Sutton Cars during the West London and Gartrac is commissioned to continue creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will pieces on individually focus on globe rally class regarding the 1980 and you will 1981 industry rally year.

This is to prove an incredibly requiring months to have Gartrac. There was a high return off bodyshells becoming introduced at that some time and Gartrac had to continue several fully prepared shell’s into the hands because the support to present production standards.

1980s – Audi Quattro

David Sutton and his awesome class gone away from Ford in addition to Escort Mk2 just after profitable new 1981 Community Rally Tournament that have Ari Vatenan, whilst became obvious Ford was not capable give a competitive vehicle into 1982 12 months. Their notice turned to securing a package to perform Audi Quattro’s regarding Uk Rally Tournament and later Industry Championship occurrences.

At the beginning of mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once more which have the Audi 80 Coupe and later introduced about three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which have been delivered more than away from Ingolstadt for the Germany. Audi usually brought everything in Germany, so this is a bit uncommon during the time.

New Audi bodyshell’s was in fact quite straightforward. Care and attention needed to be taken to make sure that the bracketry are positively right therefore the roll crate are fitted precisely to have biggest safeguards. Work was required to talk with Italian language criteria, and therefore Gartrac went along to high lengths to attain.

As the functions engagement had finished that have Ford, it was a highly busy several months to possess Gartrac helping almost every other makers instance Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you will Austin Rover to-name but a few.

Lookin right back, it is hard to assume exactly how all of this is attained because the Gartrac had been heavily in promoting and you can offering parts to possess customer Escort’s and developing its plans like the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford Lugano privat escort had done creation of the new Escort Mk2 together with unveiled the new Mk3 which in simple form are front wheel push, and this during the time was not competitive to have rally explore. Gartrac made a decision to move new Mk3 to help you rear wheel push and you will have fun with as much Mk2 bits as possible.