• The newest bodyshell is actually dependent because the light you could, most of the rubbish out-of unwanted topic are removed
• The leading suspension system brackets was gone to live in render wide track and a whole lot more castor
• Bottom suspension system brackets was hung to add restriction traction, back and front song is actually a similar
• Bilstein suspension system, 170lb front side springs, 146lb single leaf buttocks springs
• The original car as suitable which have alloy x package arches, fabricated during the-home within Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac brought automobiles to own John during the their rally cross occupation. Which Mk2 Escort was a clone of one’s vehicles delivered for Martin Schanche in the past, apart from the Ford engine which in fact had a beneficial Chevrolet Vega cylinder direct with large ability and you can brought particular 3 hundred BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Globe Rally Team

Gartrac was developed alert a year ahead you to Ford perform feel pulling-out from world rallying to concentrate on development the new Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold was enjoy to a conference on Boreham and are told new functions Escort Mk2 rally creation is visiting a keen end.

Rothmans, brand Schaffhausen State escort guide new sponsors regarding Ford’s industry rally energy inside 1979, planned to remain its wedding about sport and designed the fresh new Rothmans community rally cluster that has been to operate Escort Mk2’s to own Hannu Mikkola and you will Ari Vatenen inside the 1980. New party were to be handled by the David Sutton exactly who Gartrac got in earlier times worked with due to their dealings with Ford dealers Clark & Simpson.

The team was based on David Sutton Automobiles within the Western London and you may Gartrac was accredited to keep creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you can pieces towards really run industry rally group in the 1980 and you will 1981 globe rally season.

This is to prove an incredibly demanding period to own Gartrac. Discover a premier turnover off bodyshells being delivered at this some time and Gartrac had to continue a couple of fully wishing shell’s in hand since backup to help you existing production conditions.

mid-eighties – Audi Quattro

David Sutton and his awesome party gone out of Ford and also the Escort Mk2 once successful the new 1981 World Rally Championship which have Ari Vatenan, because it became clear Ford was not able to render a competitive vehicles for the 1982 season. His focus looked to securing a great deal to operate Audi Quattro’s regarding the British Rally Championship and later Community Tournament situations.

In early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once more which have brand new Audi 80 Coupe and soon after brought about three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells that happen to be sent more than regarding Ingolstadt from inside the Germany. Audi usually delivered all things in Germany, which means this are a bit unusual during the time.

The Audi bodyshell’s was somewhat simple. Proper care had to be taken to make certain every bracketry try surely right in addition to roll crate was suitable correctly to own greatest security. The job needed to meet with German standards, which Gartrac decided to go to higher lengths to reach.

While the functions engagement got ended with Ford, this is an incredibly hectic period for Gartrac doing work for almost every other firms such as for example Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you may Austin Rover to-name but a few.

Looking straight back, it is not easy to imagine just how all this was attained as the Gartrac was still heavily working in creating and supplying parts to possess buyers Escort’s and development its very own systems such as the G3, G6 and you can G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

mid-eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford got complete creation of the brand new Escort Mk2 together with disclosed brand new Mk3 that important form is actually front wheel push, and that at the time wasn’t competitive to own rally have fun with. Gartrac chose to convert the Mk3 to butt wheel drive and use as numerous Mk2 pieces to.