- Brand new bodyshell are depending given that light that you can, all of the rubbish out of unwelcome matter is actually got rid of
- Leading suspension system brackets have been moved to give broad track and you will a great deal more castor
- Butt suspension supports was basically strung to include restriction grip, back and front track try the same
- Bilstein suspension system, 170lb side springs, 146lb single leaf buttocks springs
- The original vehicle are suitable with metal x pack arches, fabricated into the-household during the Gartrac
1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2
Gartrac lead trucks to possess John during the their rally cross career. That it Mk2 Escort are a duplicate of vehicle put for Martin Schanche previously, aside from the Ford motor which in fact had a Chevrolet Vega cylinder lead having large ability and put particular 300 BHP.
1981 – Rothmans Business Rally Team
Gartrac is made aware annually beforehand one to Ford carry out end up being taking out from globe rallying to pay attention to developing the Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold try invited in order to a meeting during the Boreham and you will try told new work Escort Mk2 rally creation is actually going to an enthusiastic stop.
Rothmans, the newest sponsors regarding Ford’s industry rally efforts inside the 1979, desired to remain the engagement about athletics and you may designed brand new Rothmans globe rally group which was to operate Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and Ari Vatenen when you look at the 1980. The new team would be to end up being handled of the David Sutton who Gartrac got previously worked with and their transactions that have Ford traders Clark & Simpson.
The team could be founded from the David Sutton Vehicles in West London area and you may Gartrac was accredited to carry on production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will bits on truly run industry rally team in the 1980 and you will 1981 world rally season.
This is to prove an incredibly demanding period to own Gartrac. There was a high return regarding bodyshells are delivered at that time and Gartrac was required to keep a couple of completely prepared shell’s into the hands just like the back-up in order to current production standards.
eighties – Audi Quattro
David Sutton with his class went out of Ford while the Escort Mk2 just after effective brand new 1981 Business Rally Championship having Ari Vatenan, as it became clear Ford was not in a position to offer an aggressive vehicles into 1982 year. Their appeal looked to securing a deal to run Audi Quattro’s about British Rally Championship and soon after Globe private Lugano escorts Tournament situations.
At the beginning of mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once more having this new Audi 80 Coupe and soon after lead around three performs Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were delivered more than from Ingolstadt from inside the Germany. Audi always introduced all things in Germany, which means this was quite unusual at the time.
The fresh new Audi bodyshell’s was slightly easy. Proper care had to be taken to make sure all bracketry is actually surely proper and also the move cage are installing accurately to possess greatest cover. The job had to talk with German criteria, and this Gartrac decided to go to great lengths to attain.
Although the performs involvement got ended which have Ford, it was a very hectic several months to own Gartrac doing work for most other suppliers such Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you may Austin Rover to call but a few.
Appearing straight back, it is hard to visualize just how all this work is achieved because Gartrac had been heavily doing work in promoting and offering parts for customers Escort’s and you can development a unique programs such as the G3, G6 and G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort
Ford got accomplished creation of the new Escort Mk2 together with uncovered the fresh new Mk3 which in basic function was front wheel push, and that at that time was not aggressive to have rally use. Gartrac made a decision to move new Mk3 in order to buttocks wheel drive and you will fool around with as many Mk2 parts you could.