But not that it heralded another chapter off production of Escort Mk2’s

  • This new bodyshell are mainly based because white to, all of the rubbish out of unwelcome thing is got rid of
  • The front suspension supports had been gone to live in provide greater track and even more castor
  • Butt suspension brackets was hung to add restrict grip, back and front tune is an equivalent
  • Bilstein suspension system, 170lb top springs, 146lb unmarried leaf butt springs
  • The original car as installing having metal x pack arches, fabricated for the-household at the Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac brought vehicles getting John through the their rally get across industry. It Mk2 Escort is a clone of your own car put for Martin Schanche in past times, apart from the Ford motor which in fact had a beneficial Chevrolet Vega cylinder head which have large capacity and you will delivered some 300 BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Community Rally Cluster

Gartrac is made aware annually in advance that Ford perform be taking out of community rallying to pay attention to development the latest Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold try invited to an event on Boreham and is informed the latest performs Escort Mk2 rally development are going to an end.

Rothmans, the newest sponsors of Ford’s industry rally work in 1979, wanted to keep the wedding throughout the athletics and you will formed the Rothmans globe rally team which was to run Escort Mk2’s having Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen within the 1980. The new team would be to become handled from the David Sutton whom Gartrac had in past times caused with their transactions with Ford traders Clark & Simpson.

The group might be based at David Sutton Automobiles inside the West London and you will Gartrac try accredited to carry on creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will pieces toward really visit our website work on industry rally team in the 1980 and you can 1981 business rally seasons.

This was to show an incredibly requiring months for Gartrac. There is certainly a leading turnover off bodyshells becoming delivered at that some time and Gartrac had to remain several completely prepared shell’s inside give as the back-up so you can current development conditions.

mid-eighties – Audi Quattro

David Sutton with his team went regarding Ford together with Escort Mk2 immediately after profitable brand new 1981 Community Rally Title which have Ari Vatenan, as it became obvious Ford wasn’t able to give an aggressive automobile for the 1982 seasons. Their focus considered protecting a great deal to run Audi Quattro’s in the British Rally Tournament and soon after Community Championship occurrences.

In early mid-eighties Gartrac worked with David Sutton once again which have the Audi 80 Coupe and later introduced about three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells that have been delivered over out-of Ingolstadt into the Germany. Audi constantly put all things in Germany, so this was a bit uncommon during the time.

The latest Audi bodyshell’s was somewhat simple. Care had to be taken to make certain that every bracketry was positively best while the move cage try suitable accurately to own best security. The task was required to meet with Italian language requirements, hence Gartrac decided to go to high lengths to achieve.

Whilst work engagement got finished that have Ford, this is an extremely hectic months to own Gartrac employed by other firms particularly Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Austin Rover to name but a few.

Searching straight back, it is hard to visualize just how all this are achieved as Gartrac was still heavily employed in creating and offering pieces to possess customer Escort’s and you may developing a unique ideas including the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford had done production of the Escort Mk2 along with unveiled the brand new Mk3 which in important setting was front wheel push, and therefore at the time wasn’t aggressive to possess rally fool around with. Gartrac chose to transfer the Mk3 in order to bottom wheel drive and you can have fun with as much Mk2 pieces that one may.