Ford was about so you’re able to embark on the latest 1970 London in order to Mexico rally having fun with Escort Mk1’s

Ford was about so you’re able to embark on the latest 1970 London in order to Mexico rally having fun with Escort Mk1’s

Gartrac produced its basic associate with David Sutton who was the brand new movie director from Clark & Simpson who have been Ford people when you look at the Sloane Square, London area. The vehicles were mainly simple with no move cages, yet not Gartrac given uprated suspension and you will powering hardware parts toward experiences.

Just prior to the start of this new rally Dave Bignold is requested of the Ford to search to Clark & Simpson and you will match butt surprise absorber turrets on Rauno Aaltonen’s Ford Escort 1850 GT. Installing the device was done easily more a sunday and you will Aaltonen’s automobile is actually willing to contend about rally.

On the very early 70s, Gartrac modified Escort Mk1 bodyshells to possess Clark & Simpson into the London

The fresh new London – Mexico Business Glass rally been on Wembley Stadium into the London area towards April 19th 1970 layer approximately sixteen,000 kilometers thanks to European countries and you can South america and you will finishing during the Mexico Urban area may 27th 1970. Case is very effective to have Ford that have Hannu Mikola and Gunnar Palm profitable the fresh new rally and you may Rauno Aaltonen and you may Henry Liddon finishing third.

Gartrac went on development pieces toward Escort Mk1 rally vehicles. In the early 1970s several other greatest victory try Hannnu Mikkola and you may Gunnar Palm’s 1972 Safari Rally win regarding the Escort RS 1600. The two create need an early lead that they never shed and turned into the initial low-African team so you can earn the newest Eastern African Safari Rally.

70s – The fresh new Performs Escort Mk2

Such variations was indeed generally fitting amaze absorber turrets, material ripple arches and you will reworking axle’s. Gartrac carry out customize dos-step 3 bodyshells per week for a lot of age.

Gartrac are growing for the profile and pure volume of performs meant that they must go from its quick workshop for the Farnham, Surrey. (more…)