Although not so it proclaimed a new chapter out of creation of Escort Mk2’s

• Brand new bodyshell are built since the light you could, every trash out of undesirable thing is eliminated
• Leading suspension supports was gone to live in render wider tune and you can a lot more castor
• Rear suspension supports were hung to include restriction grip, front and rear song are an identical
• Bilstein suspension system, 170lb front side springs, 146lb single leaf buttocks springs
• The initial vehicle become suitable that have metal x package arches, fabricated in-domestic on Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac produced vehicles getting John during their rally get across field. It Mk2 Escort was a clone of one’s car lead having Martin Schanche previously, apart from the Ford system which in fact had a beneficial Chevrolet Vega tube head that have large capability and you may put some 300 BHP.

1981 – Rothmans World Rally Group

Gartrac was developed alert a year in advance one Ford create feel taking out regarding community rallying to pay attention to development the Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold was anticipate to help you a conference within Boreham and you will try advised the latest performs Escort Mk2 rally design is actually arriving at a keen avoid.

Rothmans, the newest sponsors of Ford’s community rally work inside the 1979, wished to continue its wedding on recreation and you can designed the newest Rothmans world rally party which was to run Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and you will Ari Vatenen inside the 1980. The new team was to feel addressed because of the David Sutton who Gartrac had in earlier times caused using their transactions that have Ford traders Clark & Simpson.

The team would-be based in the David Sutton Cars inside Western London area and you can Gartrac are commissioned to carry on production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will pieces for the personally work with industry rally party from the 1980 and you will 1981 globe rally 12 months.

It was to show a very requiring period having Gartrac. There was a leading return out of bodyshells are delivered at that time and Gartrac had to keep a couple of fully waiting shell’s during the hands because the back-up to help you established development conditions.

1980s – Audi Quattro

David Sutton with his class gone out-of Ford additionally the Escort Mk2 once effective the fresh new 1981 Business Rally Tournament with Ari Vatenan, because it turned into obvious Ford was not in a position to provide an aggressive vehicles towards the 1982 12 months. Their notice looked to protecting a package to perform Audi Quattro’s regarding the United kingdom Rally Tournament and soon after Globe Tournament incidents.

In early mid-eighties Gartrac worked with David Sutton once more with the latest Audi 80 Coupe and later produced about three performs Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were delivered more than out of Ingolstadt inside the Germany. Audi usually put everything in Germany, and this was a little unusual during the time.

Brand new Audi bodyshell’s was in fact a bit straightforward. Care must be taken to make certain the bracketry try positively correct in addition to roll cage is actually installing correctly getting biggest security. The task had to meet with German criteria, and that Gartrac decided to go to great lengths to attain.

Although the works engagement had ended that have Ford, this is an incredibly busy period for Gartrac employed by most other makers such as for example Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you may Austin Rover to mention but a few.

Searching back, it is hard to imagine just how this all are hit as Gartrac had been greatly in generating and you can providing parts to own customers Escort’s and you will developing its own ideas including the G3, G6 and you may G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford had done creation of the brand new Escort Mk2 along with expose the brand new Mk3 that basic setting was front wheel push, and therefore at the time wasn’t aggressive to own rally use. Gartrac made a decision to transfer the new Mk3 to bottom wheel push and you can have fun street hookers Brunn am Gebirge with as much Mk2 parts that one may.