However it proclaimed a unique section off production of Escort Mk2’s

• The newest bodyshell are centered as white as you are able to, every scrap away from unwelcome thing is actually eliminated
• The front suspension system brackets have been moved to offer wide song and significantly more castor
• Buttocks suspension brackets was strung to provide restrict traction, back and front song try the same
• Bilstein suspension, 170lb front side springs, 146lb unmarried leaf bottom springs
• The initial car are fitted having metal x prepare arches, fabricated during the-domestic on Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac lead cars to own John throughout the their rally cross community. Which Mk2 Escort is actually a clone of your auto produced getting Martin Schanche in earlier times, apart from the Ford motor which had a beneficial Chevrolet Vega tube head with big capabilities and brought particular 300 BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Business Rally Group

Gartrac was made aware annually ahead of time you to Ford perform getting taking out of globe rallying to pay attention to developing the latest Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is invited so you can a meeting within Boreham and you may is actually informed the functions Escort Get the facts Mk2 rally design is actually coming to a keen prevent.

Rothmans, the fresh new sponsors off Ford’s industry rally efforts from inside the 1979, wanted to remain its engagement on the recreation and you may shaped the Rothmans industry rally people that was to run Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen for the 1980. The latest people were to getting addressed from the David Sutton just who Gartrac had in the past worked with using their dealings having Ford investors Clark & Simpson.

The group could be established at David Sutton Vehicles in the West London and you may Gartrac is accredited to continue creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you can parts on myself manage business rally team about 1980 and you can 1981 world rally year.

This was to show a very requiring period having Gartrac. There can be a premier turnover regarding bodyshells getting put at this some time and Gartrac was required to keep a couple of completely waiting shell’s for the give because back-up to current creation conditions.

eighties – Audi Quattro

David Sutton and his people went regarding Ford and Escort Mk2 immediately after profitable this new 1981 Community Rally Championship that have Ari Vatenan, because turned clear Ford was not capable provide an aggressive vehicles on 1982 year. Their attract considered protecting a great deal to run Audi Quattro’s throughout the British Rally Championship and later Industry Tournament situations.

In early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once more which have this new Audi 80 Coupe and later brought around three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which have been sent over away from Ingolstadt for the Germany. Audi constantly lead all things in Germany, so this is quite strange during the time.

This new Audi bodyshell’s was in fact some quick. Proper care must be delivered to ensure that the bracketry was seriously right and also the roll cage try fitting truthfully to have biggest defense. The task must talk with German requirements, hence Gartrac visited higher lengths to attain.

Even though the performs wedding got finished that have Ford, it was an extremely active months to have Gartrac working for almost every other suppliers such Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you will Austin Rover to mention but a few.

Looking straight back, it is hard to imagine exactly how all this work is actually achieved as the Gartrac was still heavily involved in promoting and you can supplying parts to have customer Escort’s and you can development a unique strategies for instance the G3, G6 and you may G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

1980s – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford got completed production of this new Escort Mk2 together with expose the latest Mk3 that simple function is actually front wheel drive, hence during the time was not aggressive to have rally fool around with. Gartrac chose to transfer the latest Mk3 so you can rear controls drive and play with as many Mk2 parts to.