- The latest bodyshell are situated just like the light as possible, all trash away from unwelcome procedure is removed
- The leading suspension system mounts was indeed relocated to provide broad tune and you can much more castor
- Buttocks suspension brackets had been strung to incorporate limitation grip, front and rear track try an equivalent
- Bilstein suspension, 170lb side springs, 146lb solitary leaf butt springs
- The initial car become installing with metal x prepare arches, fabricated within the-house at the Gartrac
1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2
Gartrac introduced vehicles getting John during the their rally get across occupation. So it Mk2 Escort try a duplicate of one’s automobile put to own Martin Schanche in the past, aside from the Ford system which had a Chevrolet Vega cylinder head having big capabilities and you can brought some 3 hundred BHP.
1981 – Rothmans Community Rally Party
Gartrac was made alert annually ahead of time you to definitely Ford do feel pulling-out out-of business rallying to concentrate on developing new Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is actually desired in order to an event at the Boreham and you can is actually advised the latest performs Escort Mk2 rally creation try visiting a keen stop.
Rothmans, the brand new sponsors regarding Ford’s industry rally work in the 1979, wanted to keep its involvement regarding the sport and molded the Rothmans globe rally people which had been to perform Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and Ari Vatenen within the 1980. The newest cluster would be to getting treated from the David Sutton which Gartrac got before worked with with their deals with Ford dealers Clark & Simpson.
The team was founded during the David Sutton Automobiles when you look at the Western London and you may Gartrac was commissioned to continue production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will bits for the really work at community rally cluster about 1980 and 1981 industry rally season.
This is to show an extremely demanding months to possess Gartrac. There’s a high return out-of bodyshells being introduced at this some time and Gartrac was required to remain a couple of totally waiting shell’s in the hands because the support to help you present creation requirements.
mid-eighties – Audi Quattro
David Sutton and his class gone from Ford therefore the Escort Mk2 just after effective new 1981 Community Rally Championship that have Ari Vatenan, because it turned into obvious Ford wasn’t able to give an aggressive auto for the 1982 season. Their desire turned to securing a great deal to run Audi Quattro’s throughout the United kingdom Rally Championship and soon after World Championship occurrences.
In early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton again with the fresh new Audi 80 Coupe and soon after lead about three functions Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were delivered more than of Ingolstadt into the Germany. Audi usually delivered all things in Germany, and this is actually a little strange at that time.
Brand new Audi bodyshell’s was a bit simple. Care and attention needed to be delivered to make sure all the bracketry is surely best while the roll crate is actually suitable precisely having biggest cover. The task must meet with German conditions, and that Gartrac went along to high lengths to achieve.
Even though the works involvement had finished with Ford, it was a very hectic several months getting Gartrac doing work for almost every other brands such as for example Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you Wettingen escorts live will Austin Rover to name but a few.
Searching straight back, it is not easy to visualize just how all this try hit due to the fact Gartrac had been heavily in producing and promoting pieces to possess customer Escort’s and you will development its own ideas for instance the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
1980s – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort
Ford had accomplished creation of this new Escort Mk2 and had expose the fresh Mk3 that important function is front-wheel push, and therefore at that time was not competitive to have rally fool around with. Gartrac decided to transfer brand new Mk3 so you can bottom wheel drive and you will play with as numerous Mk2 bits as possible.