not this heralded a different sort of chapter away from production of Escort Mk2′s

• The fresh bodyshell was established once the white that you can, the rubbish of undesired issue try removed
• The front suspension brackets was indeed moved to bring large song and you may much more castor
• Rear suspension supports was installed to incorporate limitation traction, back and front tune was an equivalent
• Bilstein suspension system, 170lb top springs, 146lb single leaf butt springs
• The first car becoming fitting with metal x prepare arches, fabricated in the-home at Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac produced cars for John throughout the his rally cross field. This Mk2 Escort was a duplicate of the automobile lead having Martin Schanche before, aside from the Ford motor which had a good Chevrolet Vega cylinder head with huge capability and put specific 300 BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Community Rally People

Gartrac was created aware a-year in advance you to Ford do be taking out out-of industry rallying to pay attention to developing the Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold try greeting so you can an event during the Boreham and you can is actually informed brand new really works Escort Mk2 rally design is going to an enthusiastic stop.

Rothmans, the fresh sponsors of Ford’s community rally work during the 1979, wanted to remain the involvement on recreation and you can shaped brand new Rothmans world rally team which had been to perform Escort Mk2′s having Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen from inside the 1980. New people was to end up being treated because of the David Sutton who Gartrac got in past times caused using their deals having Ford traders Clark & Simpson.

The team might possibly be mainly based in the David Sutton Autos in West London area and you may Gartrac are commissioned to continue production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and pieces to your privately work at community rally team regarding 1980 and 1981 globe rally seasons.

This was to prove an extremely demanding period getting Gartrac. Discover a high turnover off bodyshells getting brought at that some time and Gartrac had to continue a few fully waiting shell’s during the hands once the backup to existing design requirements.

mid-eighties – Audi Quattro

David Sutton and his class gone off Ford together with Escort Mk2 immediately following winning this new 1981 World Rally Championship with Ari Vatenan, because became obvious Ford was not capable render an aggressive auto on 1982 year. Their notice turned to securing a package to operate Audi Quattro’s from the Uk Rally Championship and later Industry Title situations.

In early 1980s Gartrac caused David Sutton once more that have the brand new Audi 80 Coupe and soon after delivered around three works Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were sent over regarding Ingolstadt in the Germany. Audi constantly brought everything in Germany, so this are some unusual during the time.

The fresh Audi bodyshell’s was indeed a bit easy. Proper care had to be taken to ensure that every bracketry is actually undoubtedly correct plus the move crate try fitting precisely having best coverage. The work needed to talk with German criteria, and this Gartrac went to great lengths to attain.

Even though the works wedding got concluded that have Ford, this is an extremely hectic months to own Gartrac working for almost every other producers such as for example Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you will Austin Rover to call but a few.

Lookin back, it is not easy to assume exactly how this all is attained since Gartrac had been greatly doing work in promoting and you may offering bits to own customer Escort’s and you will Einsiedeln escorts developing its own plans including the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

1980s – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford got complete creation of the Escort Mk2 and had unveiled the fresh Mk3 that simple function was front-wheel drive, and that at the time was not aggressive to own rally have fun with. Gartrac decided to move the brand new Mk3 so you’re able to rear controls push and you will play with as many Mk2 parts as possible.