- The newest bodyshell is depending as white that you could, every scrap off unwanted topic was eliminated
- The front suspension brackets were transferred to bring greater track and you will much more castor
- Butt suspension mounts was in fact strung to incorporate restriction traction, back and front track are a similar
- Bilstein suspension system, 170lb top springs, 146lb single leaf butt springs
- The initial car is suitable having alloy x package arches, fabricated during the-family at Gartrac
1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2
Gartrac produced trucks to own John throughout the his rally get across job. This Mk2 Escort are a clone of vehicle introduced for Martin Schanche in earlier times, apart from the Ford motor which had good Chevrolet Vega cylinder direct having big capabilities and you will produced certain 300 BHP.
1981 – Rothmans World Rally Class
Gartrac is made aware per year beforehand you to Ford manage become taking out away from globe rallying to pay attention to developing the Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold was welcome so you can a conference from the Boreham and was informed the fresh really works Escort Mk2 rally creation are arriving at an prevent.
Rothmans, the sponsors out-of Ford’s globe rally energy from inside the 1979, wished to continue its wedding from the sport and you will molded the brand new Rothmans industry rally party which had been to operate Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen into the 1980. The fresh class would be to become treated because of the David Sutton just who Gartrac https://escortlook.de/en/switzerland/neuchatel/le-locle got previously worked with employing negotiations having Ford buyers Clark & Simpson.
The team would be built within David Sutton Cars inside Western London and you will Gartrac is actually accredited to carry on production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you may pieces to your individually work with industry rally group regarding 1980 and you can 1981 community rally year.
It was to show a highly demanding several months getting Gartrac. Discover a premier return of bodyshells becoming introduced at that some time and Gartrac had to remain several fully wishing shell’s for the give as back-up so you’re able to present creation criteria.
mid-eighties – Audi Quattro
David Sutton and his class went away from Ford therefore the Escort Mk2 just after successful the latest 1981 Globe Rally Title with Ari Vatenan, since it turned into clear Ford was not capable render a competitive vehicles with the 1982 season. Their interest considered securing a package to run Audi Quattro’s about United kingdom Rally Championship and later Community Tournament situations.
During the early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once more with brand new Audi 80 Coupe and soon after produced around three functions Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were delivered more regarding Ingolstadt from inside the Germany. Audi always produced everything in Germany, so this try slightly unusual during the time.
This new Audi bodyshell’s was basically quite simple. Care must be brought to make sure that all of the bracketry try definitely proper together with roll crate are fitting accurately to have biggest defense. Work must speak to Italian language criteria, and this Gartrac went along to great lengths to achieve.
Whilst the works engagement had finished which have Ford, this is an incredibly active several months to possess Gartrac working for most other makers such as for instance Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you will Austin Rover to-name just a few.
Searching right back, it is hard to imagine just how all this work is actually attained as Gartrac had been greatly in producing and you may offering parts getting buyers Escort’s and you can developing its tactics for instance the G3, G6 and you can G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
1980s – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort
Ford had complete production of the latest Escort Mk2 together with disclosed the brand new Mk3 which in standard mode are front wheel drive, and therefore at that time was not competitive to own rally use. Gartrac decided to move the brand new Mk3 so you’re able to butt wheel drive and play with as many Mk2 pieces you could.