Yet not which proclaimed a separate section regarding production of Escort Mk2’s

• The fresh bodyshell are situated since the white that one may, every scrap off unwelcome procedure was got rid of
• The leading suspension system brackets have been gone to live in promote greater song and you may way more castor
• Buttocks suspension mounts was in fact strung to include limitation grip, back and front song was the same
• Bilstein suspension, 170lb front side springs, 146lb unmarried leaf butt springs
• The initial car are fitting having alloy x package arches, fabricated when you look at the-house at the Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac introduced automobiles to possess John while in the his rally mix industry. That it Mk2 Escort try a duplicate of car introduced to possess Martin Schanche previously, aside from the Ford engine which in fact had a good Chevrolet Vega tube lead with big potential and you may produced specific 300 BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Business Rally Group

Gartrac was created alert a year ahead of time you to definitely Ford would become pulling out from world rallying to concentrate on development the fresh Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold try enjoy so you can a conference from the Boreham and are advised this new really works Escort Mk2 rally development are arriving at an enthusiastic avoid.

Rothmans, the sponsors away from Ford’s globe rally effort inside 1979, desired to remain the engagement regarding sport and you will formed brand new Rothmans community rally group which was to run Escort Mk2’s for Hannu Mikkola and you may Ari Vatenen into the 1980. The fresh new class was to getting treated by the David Sutton whom Gartrac had before caused along with their transactions having Ford traders Clark & Simpson.

The group could well be oriented within David Sutton Trucks for the West London and you will Gartrac is actually commissioned to continue creation of Escort Berlin Germany granny escorts Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you can parts with the privately work at business rally group regarding the 1980 and you may 1981 world rally 12 months.

This was to prove an extremely demanding period to own Gartrac. You will find a top return off bodyshells getting delivered at that some time and Gartrac needed to remain a couple of completely wishing shell’s when you look at the hands given that support so you can current development standards.

1980s – Audi Quattro

David Sutton with his class gone out of Ford therefore the Escort Mk2 just after profitable this new 1981 Business Rally Tournament that have Ari Vatenan, because turned into clear Ford was not in a position to offer a competitive car towards the 1982 seasons. Their desire turned to protecting a deal to run Audi Quattro’s regarding British Rally Title and soon after World Championship incidents.

During the early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once again with the new Audi 80 Coupe and later lead about three really works Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which have been delivered over out-of Ingolstadt inside the Germany. Audi constantly produced everything in Germany, which means this try somewhat uncommon at that time.

New Audi bodyshell’s was in fact somewhat easy. Care and attention must be delivered to make certain all the bracketry try positively best while the move cage are fitting truthfully for ultimate defense. Work was required to meet with Italian language requirements, and that Gartrac decided to go to higher lengths to attain.

Whilst the functions wedding got finished having Ford, this was an extremely busy months to own Gartrac working for almost every other producers including Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you can Austin Rover to call but a few.

Lookin right back, it is hard to visualize how all this work was attained while the Gartrac had been heavily employed in generating and you may offering pieces to have customer Escort’s and you can developing its very own plans like the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

mid-eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford had completed production of brand new Escort Mk2 together with unveiled brand new Mk3 that important mode was front wheel push, which during the time was not competitive to own rally explore. Gartrac chose to move the fresh Mk3 so you’re able to rear wheel drive and you can use as numerous Mk2 pieces as you are able to.