Yet not which heralded a unique section regarding production of Escort Mk2’s
- The fresh bodyshell is built as light that you could, all the garbage out of unwelcome issue is got rid of
- Leading suspension mounts had been moved to provide broad song and a great deal more castor
- Buttocks suspension system supports have been hung to add restriction grip, back and front track is the same
- Bilstein suspension system, 170lb front springs, 146lb single leaf buttocks springs
- The initial automobile to-be fitting with metal x pack arches, fabricated in the-home from the Gartrac
1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2
Gartrac lead vehicles to possess John throughout their rally mix career. Which Mk2 Escort is actually a duplicate of automobile put to own Martin Schanche before, apart from the Ford system which had a beneficial Chevrolet Vega cylinder head having larger ability and you can delivered certain 3 hundred BHP.
1981 – Rothmans Business Rally Party
Gartrac is made aware a-year beforehand you to definitely Ford manage become pulling-out out of world rallying to concentrate on development new Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is actually invited so you’re able to a conference from the Boreham and are told this new works Escort Mk2 rally design is arriving at a keen end.
Rothmans, this new sponsors from Ford’s business rally energy in 1979, wished to keep its involvement on the sport and molded new Rothmans globe rally cluster that was to run Escort Mk2’s for Hannu Mikkola and you may Ari Vatenen when you look at the 1980. The newest people would be to be handled from the David Sutton who Gartrac got prior to now caused due to their dealings that have Ford traders Clark & Simpson.
The group might possibly be centered during the David Sutton Trucks within the Western London and you may Gartrac is accredited to continue production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will bits on physically work with community rally party from the 1980 and you may 1981 world rally season.
It was to show an incredibly requiring period for Gartrac. There can be a premier turnover of bodyshells becoming produced at that some time Gartrac needed to continue a couple fully prepared shell’s in hand while the back up in order to present manufacturing criteria.
eighties – Audi Quattro
David Sutton with his people gone away from Ford as well as the Escort Mk2 shortly after successful the fresh 1981 World Rally Championship which have Ari Vatenan, since it turned clear Ford was not capable escortlook.de company web site give an aggressive vehicles to the 1982 year. Their focus turned to securing a great deal to operate Audi Quattro’s in the United kingdom Rally Championship and later Business Championship situations.
At the beginning of mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once more which have the newest Audi 80 Coupe and soon after brought around three really works Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were sent over regarding Ingolstadt for the Germany. Audi always produced all things in Germany, so this is quite uncommon at the time.
This new Audi bodyshell’s was basically quite easy. Care and attention must be taken to ensure that the bracketry is actually seriously correct additionally the roll crate is fitted precisely to have best safeguards. The work had to meet with German standards, and that Gartrac went along to high lengths to get to.
As the functions engagement got finished that have Ford, it was an incredibly active months to possess Gartrac helping most other producers for example Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you will Austin Rover to-name just a few.
Searching back, it is hard to assume exactly how all this try attained since Gartrac had been greatly doing work in promoting and you can supplying pieces to have customer Escort’s and you will developing its tactics like the G3, G6 and G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
mid-eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort
Ford had done creation of the fresh Escort Mk2 and had announced the newest Mk3 that fundamental function try front-wheel push, and therefore during the time wasn’t aggressive having rally use. Gartrac decided to transfer the fresh Mk3 to buttocks controls drive and play with as numerous Mk2 pieces that one can.