Mục lục nội dung
Mục lục nội dung
Gartrac put cars to own John while in the his rally cross field. So it Mk2 Escort is actually a clone of your car put to have Martin Schanche in the past, aside from the Ford engine which had good Chevrolet Vega cylinder head that have large capability and you may brought specific 3 hundred BHP.
Gartrac was developed alert a year beforehand that Ford carry out feel pulling-out regarding community rallying to concentrate on development the fresh Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is actually desired in order to an event at Boreham and you will is actually advised the newest functions Escort Mk2 rally production was going to an end.
Rothmans, the sponsors away from Ford’s globe rally efforts inside 1979, planned to continue the wedding on the sport and you will molded the fresh Rothmans industry rally team that has been to perform Escort Mk2’s having Hannu Mikkola and you can Ari Vatenen for the 1980. The cluster was to getting managed by the David Sutton whom Gartrac got previously caused with their negotiations with Ford dealers Clark & Simpson.
The group would be mainly based at the David Sutton Trucks in Western London area and you can Gartrac try accredited to continue production of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you may bits to the yourself work at business rally class on the 1980 and you will 1981 globe rally year.
It was to prove a very requiring several months to have Gartrac. There clearly was a premier return of bodyshells being brought at this some time Gartrac must continue one or two fully prepared shell’s during the give as backup in order to current production criteria.
David Sutton and his class gone out of Ford in addition to Escort Mk2 shortly after profitable the fresh 1981 Globe Rally Tournament which have Ari Vatenan, whilst turned clear Ford wasn’t capable offer a competitive vehicle to the 1982 12 months. His interest turned to securing a package to run Audi Quattro’s about British Rally Title and later World Championship incidents.
During the early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton again which have the Audi 80 Coupe and later produced about three performs Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells which were delivered more off Ingolstadt inside the Germany. Audi usually introduced everything in Germany, and this is somewhat strange at that time.
New Audi bodyshell’s have been quite straightforward. Proper care needed to be taken to guarantee that all of the bracketry was surely proper while the roll crate was fitted correctly having biggest defense. The task must speak to German standards, which Gartrac visited great lengths to reach.
While the functions engagement had finished with Ford, this was a highly hectic months for Gartrac helping other firms including Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you can Austin Rover to call but a few.
Lookin right back, it is hard to assume exactly how all this is achieved as Gartrac was still heavily in creating and you will promoting bits getting consumer Escort’s and you will development its methods including the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.
Ford got done production of the Escort Mk2 along with unveiled the fresh new Mk3 that practical setting is actually front-wheel push, and this during the time wasn’t aggressive getting rally have fun with. Gartrac decided to convert the new Mk3 so you’re able to buttocks wheel drive and you will explore as much Mk2 parts that you can.
