not which proclaimed an alternative section out-of creation of Escort Mk2’s
- The new bodyshell is mainly based as light you could, most of the rubbish from unwanted procedure is actually removed
- Leading suspension system brackets was indeed transferred to provide wide tune and you will a great deal more castor
- Butt suspension brackets was indeed strung to add restriction grip, front and rear track was a similar
- Bilstein suspension system, 170lb front side springs, 146lb solitary leaf buttocks springs
- The first vehicle is suitable with metal x pack arches, fabricated inside-home at the Gartrac
1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2
Gartrac introduced trucks to own John throughout their rally cross industry. Which Mk2 Escort is a duplicate of one’s auto brought for Martin Schanche previously, aside from the Ford motor which had an excellent Chevrolet Vega tube lead which have big potential and lead some 300 BHP.
1981 – Rothmans Business Rally Cluster
Gartrac is made alert per year ahead of time that Ford carry out end up being taking out out of industry rallying to pay attention to development the Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is enjoy to help you a meeting during the Boreham and you may try informed the latest really works Escort Mk2 rally manufacturing is going to an prevent.
Rothmans, the new sponsors out of Ford’s globe rally effort into the 1979, wanted to remain its wedding on sport and you may designed brand new Rothmans globe rally class which was to perform Escort Mk2’s to own Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen from inside the 1980. The fresh team were to feel handled from the David Sutton whom Gartrac had prior to now caused using their negotiations which have Ford buyers Clark & Simpson.
The team was established from the David Sutton Autos during the Western London area and you may Gartrac is accredited to carry on production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will bits with the personally work at industry rally group regarding 1980 and 1981 business rally year.
It was to show a very requiring months to have Gartrac. There’s a premier return away from bodyshells becoming delivered at this some time and Gartrac must continue two totally wishing shell’s within the hand just like the back up so you can established creation requirements.
mid-eighties – Audi Quattro
David Sutton and his party gone from Ford and Escort Mk2 immediately after winning the newest 1981 World Rally Tournament with Ari Vatenan, because turned into clear Ford wasn’t able to promote an aggressive vehicles into the 1982 12 months. His attract looked to protecting a package to run Audi Quattro’s regarding the United kingdom Rally Championship and soon after World Title occurrences.
During the early eighties Gartrac worked with David Sutton again having the latest Audi 80 Coupe and soon after produced around three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which have been delivered over regarding Ingolstadt from inside the Germany. Audi always brought everything in Germany, so this is slightly uncommon at that time.
The brand new Audi bodyshell’s had been somewhat simple. Worry must be taken to make certain all bracketry was absolutely proper in addition to move cage was fitting correctly getting best safety. The work had to talk with Italian language standards, which Gartrac went to great lengths to attain.
Whilst the really works involvement got ended that have Ford, it was a very busy several months to own Gartrac doing work for almost every other firms particularly Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you can Austin Rover to name but a few.
Looking straight back, it is hard to imagine just how all of this is hit just like the Gartrac had been greatly in generating and providing parts to possess customers Escort’s and you can development its tactics including the G3, G6 and G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
1980s – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort
Ford had done production of the Escort Mk2 and had revealed the brand new Mk3 that important means are front-wheel drive, which at the time was not aggressive for rally have fun with. Gartrac chose to move brand new Mk3 so you’re able to buttocks controls push and use as numerous Mk2 bits that you could.
