• The brand new bodyshell is founded given that light you could, every trash regarding undesirable situation try eliminated
• The front suspension supports was indeed relocated to provide large tune and alot more castor
• Buttocks suspension supports was in fact installed to add maximum grip, back and front track is an identical
• Bilstein suspension system, 170lb side springs, 146lb single leaf rear springs
• The original vehicles to-be installing which have alloy x package arches, fabricated from inside the-domestic from the Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac produced autos for John throughout the his rally mix occupation. It Mk2 Escort is a clone of vehicle introduced getting Martin Schanche in the past, besides the Ford system which in fact had a Chevrolet Vega cylinder lead which have larger capability and you will brought specific 300 BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Community Rally Class

Gartrac was created aware a-year ahead one to Ford do getting taking out away from world rallying to concentrate on development the fresh Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold are greet to help you a meeting on Boreham and you will was informed this new work Escort Mk2 rally manufacturing is coming to an stop.

Rothmans, new sponsors from Ford’s globe rally efforts when you look at the 1979, desired to keep the wedding throughout the athletics and designed the fresh Rothmans globe rally party which was to perform Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and you will Ari Vatenen during the Gera escorts 1980. Brand new people were to be addressed because of the David Sutton just who Gartrac got in earlier times worked with making use of their dealings with Ford people Clark & Simpson.

The team could well be based from the David Sutton Cars during the Western London area and Gartrac try commissioned to keep production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you will parts on myself work on community rally people throughout the 1980 and you may 1981 business rally season.

It was to prove an incredibly demanding period to possess Gartrac. There is certainly a premier turnover of bodyshells becoming lead at that some time and Gartrac had to remain a couple of fully prepared shell’s within the give due to the fact back up so you can established manufacturing criteria.

eighties – Audi Quattro

David Sutton with his group went away from Ford in addition to Escort Mk2 just after successful brand new 1981 Industry Rally Title having Ari Vatenan, because it became obvious Ford was not in a position to promote a competitive vehicles toward 1982 year. Their notice considered securing a package to perform Audi Quattro’s throughout the British Rally Title and later Business Championship incidents.

In early eighties Gartrac worked with David Sutton again having the latest Audi 80 Coupe and later brought about three works Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells that have been sent over from Ingolstadt when you look at the Germany. Audi usually introduced all things in Germany, so this try a bit uncommon at the time.

The fresh new Audi bodyshell’s was a little straightforward. Worry had to be brought to ensure that every bracketry is seriously proper while the roll cage try installing precisely getting best cover. The job was required to speak to German conditions, which Gartrac visited great lengths to get to.

Although the works engagement had finished with Ford, it was an incredibly busy period to have Gartrac helping other makers such as Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you may Austin Rover to mention but a few.

Searching straight back, it is not easy to imagine how all this is achieved given that Gartrac had been heavily involved in promoting and you may providing bits for buyers Escort’s and you will development its own programs for instance the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford got finished production of the Escort Mk2 and had unveiled brand new Mk3 which in important mode are front wheel push, hence at the time was not aggressive having rally play with. Gartrac made a decision to convert the brand new Mk3 to help you rear wheel drive and you can have fun with as numerous Mk2 pieces that you can.