- The latest bodyshell was established because the white you could, all of the garbage of unwanted point try got rid of
- The leading suspension system supports was relocated to render greater track and alot more castor
- Butt suspension mounts was in fact strung to add restrict traction, back and front track was an equivalent
- Bilstein suspension system, 170lb side springs, 146lb solitary leaf buttocks springs
- The first vehicles as installing that have metal x prepare arches, fabricated inside-home at the Gartrac
1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2
Gartrac brought vehicles getting John through the their rally get across industry. That it Mk2 Escort are a duplicate of your vehicle produced to possess Martin Schanche in earlier times, besides the Ford engine which had an effective Chevrolet Vega cylinder lead which have large potential and you will lead specific 300 BHP.
1981 – Rothmans Industry Rally Cluster
Gartrac was made aware annually ahead of time you to Ford perform become pulling out from globe rallying to pay attention to developing new Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold was anticipate to an event within Boreham and you will try informed the fresh functions Escort Mk2 rally creation was arriving at an stop.
Rothmans, brand new sponsors out-of Ford’s business rally effort during the 1979, wished to continue their engagement in the athletics and shaped the brand new Rothmans globe rally party which was to operate Escort Mk2’s having Hannu Mikkola and you will Ari Vatenen into the 1980. The brand new people would be to be handled because of the David Sutton exactly who Gartrac had before caused employing transactions which have Ford traders Clark & Simpson.
The team was founded at the David Sutton Cars escorts Munich during the West London and you can Gartrac is actually accredited to carry on creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you can bits to the privately manage community rally party throughout the 1980 and you will 1981 world rally year.
This was to show an extremely demanding period to own Gartrac. There clearly was a high return regarding bodyshells being brought at this some time and Gartrac was required to keep two fully wishing shell’s in hands once the back-up so you’re able to existing design criteria.
1980s – Audi Quattro
David Sutton along with his cluster moved regarding Ford plus the Escort Mk2 after winning the fresh new 1981 Business Rally Championship that have Ari Vatenan, since it became clear Ford was not in a position to give a competitive car towards the 1982 year. His attention looked to protecting a great deal to operate Audi Quattro’s in the British Rally Tournament and later Industry Title occurrences.
During the early mid-eighties Gartrac worked with David Sutton once again with new Audi 80 Coupe and later introduced about three really works Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells that happen to be delivered over away from Ingolstadt inside the Germany. Audi always lead everything in Germany, so this is slightly strange during the time.
New Audi bodyshell’s was basically quite straightforward. Care and attention must be brought to make sure all bracketry is seriously proper together with roll cage try installing correctly getting greatest security. Work needed to meet with Italian language conditions, and therefore Gartrac decided to go to great lengths to attain.
As the works wedding had concluded with Ford, it was a highly hectic several months to have Gartrac helping most other brands like Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you may Austin Rover to mention just a few.
Looking back, it is not easy to assume just how all of this try attained since the Gartrac had been heavily employed in creating and you can providing parts having buyers Escort’s and you may developing a unique plans for instance the G3, G6 and you can G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
mid-eighties – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort
Ford had done production of this new Escort Mk2 together with unveiled the latest Mk3 that important means is actually front-wheel push, and this at that time was not aggressive to possess rally explore. Gartrac made a decision to convert the fresh Mk3 so you’re able to rear wheel push and you may use as many Mk2 bits that you can.