• The fresh bodyshell is based as the light as you are able to, all scrap out-of unwelcome point are got rid of
• The leading suspension mounts was basically moved to offer broad track and you will a lot more castor
• Rear suspension mounts was in fact hung to add restrict grip, front and rear tune is actually an identical
• Bilstein suspension, 170lb front springs, 146lb unmarried leaf buttocks springs
• The original vehicle to get installing that have metal x prepare arches, fabricated in the-household at Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac put cars having John through the their rally cross field. This Mk2 Escort is actually a duplicate of the vehicles delivered having Martin Schanche previously, besides the Ford system which had an excellent Chevrolet Vega cylinder direct having big capabilities and you will lead certain three hundred BHP.

1981 – Rothmans World Rally Group

Gartrac was made alert per year ahead of time you to definitely Ford create getting pulling-out regarding world rallying to concentrate on developing new Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold are desired so you can an event at the Boreham and are advised the latest performs Escort Mk2 rally creation was going to a keen prevent.

Rothmans, the brand new sponsors out-of Ford’s globe rally energy in 1979, wanted to continue their engagement about athletics and you can formed the new Rothmans community rally team that has been to run Escort Mk2’s to have Hannu Mikkola and you will Ari Vatenen within the 1980. The brand new people would be to end up being handled because of the David Sutton which Gartrac had in past times caused making use of their transactions having Ford buyers Clark & Simpson.

The group might be mainly based on David Sutton Automobiles inside the West London area and you can Gartrac try accredited to keep creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you can pieces towards physically run business rally class on the 1980 and you can 1981 globe rally 12 months.

This was to show an incredibly demanding several months for Gartrac. There is certainly a premier return of bodyshells getting delivered at this time and Gartrac was required to keep a couple fully wishing shell’s during the hand since backup in order to current creation conditions.

1980s – Audi Quattro

David Sutton and his awesome group moved off Ford while the Escort Mk2 just after winning new 1981 Community Rally Tournament which have Ari Vatenan, whilst became clear Ford wasn’t able to provide a competitive vehicles into 1982 12 months. Their appeal looked to securing a package to run Audi Quattro’s on Uk Rally Championship and soon after Community Title events.

In early 1980s Gartrac worked with David Sutton once more having the fresh Audi 80 Coupe and later lead around three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells that happen to be delivered over out of Ingolstadt inside Germany. Audi usually brought everything in Germany, so this is actually a little strange at that time.

This new Audi bodyshell’s was indeed somewhat simple. Care needed to be brought to ensure that every bracketry try undoubtedly best and roll cage try installing precisely to possess greatest shelter. Work had to talk with Italian language requirements, and therefore Gartrac went to high lengths to reach.

While the performs wedding had concluded having Ford, this was a highly busy months to possess Gartrac working for almost every other firms eg Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you can Austin Rover to-name but a few.

Searching back, it is not easy to visualize exactly how all of this is actually hit as Gartrac was still heavily employed in promoting and you can promoting parts to own customers Escort’s and you can development a unique tactics like the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford had finished production of the new Escort Mk2 and had unveiled brand new Mk3 which in fundamental means is actually front wheel drive, hence at the time was not aggressive to have rally play with. Gartrac decided to move the fresh Mk3 Neuchatel girlfriend escort to bottom wheel drive and you will use as much Mk2 parts you could.