What was your first car? Richie
O’Mahony’s was, and still is, a Mk2 Escort. He wins at first cars.
“Since you did the photoshoot it has
evolved even further,” laughs Richie. “The axle is now five-linked and
turreted, it has Gaz coilovers all round, a 5.1:1 CWP, more strengthening
plates and is now fully rally-prepared.” He’s done his first stage rally and is
set for his second one as we type. But as you might have guessed, for Richie
and his Mk2, nothing stands still. He hasn’t let on too much, but he does hint
at more power over the coming winter with an eye for moving out of the junior
class. The chassis of the Escort is now more than up to the job of handling
bigger power and Richie is keen to develop the Mk2 as far as he possibly can.
The
best thing about this Mk2 is that it's ready for the next stage. Everything is
in place for a more powerful engine as soon as the time comes!
“Initially I was inspired by Colin McRea’s
Mk2 Escort,” he tells us. “It was my dream car and in my opinion that is the
ultimate Mk2. But as a young lad my budget didn’t stretch nearly far enough to
have one identical to his. So I decided that I wanted to build a very clean
Clubman car, and looking at it I think I have managed that.” Try as hard as you
might, you can’t really argue with that. Especially when you consider that this
has evolved from his first car!
Ford Facts
Engine:
1300 Scholar Crossflow, Kent high lift cam,
Stage 3 head, solid post rocker assembly, block skimmed, Wossner racing
pistons, custom inlet manifold with twin 40DCOE Weber carbs, ARP rod and head
bolts, lightened flywheel, Helix pressure plate with Helix paddle clutch, Bosch
BDA Distributor, Duplex gear and chain, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold.
Transmission:
5-speed Quaife Pro gearbox, GRP4
Fabrications single piece proshaft, Atlas back axle, 5.1:1 CWP, Gripper LSD.
Wilwood
4 pot front calipers, vented discs and XR3i front calipers on the rear, bias
pedal box, hydraulic handbrake.
Suspension:
Gaz Gold coilovers all round with 5 link on
rear.
Brakes:
Wilwood 4 pot front calipers, vented discs
and XR3i front calipers on the rear, bias pedal box, hydraulic handbrake.
Wheels & tyres:
7X13 Superlights Yoko S306 (road wheels),
8X13 Revolutions Dunlop/ Hankook wets (Wet tyres), 8&9X13 Revolutions
Dunlop Slicks (Dry set up), 8&9X15 Revolutions Dunlop Slicks (Fast stages).
Mk2 Escort
Interior:
Custom Cages weld-in cage, OMP & Sparco
seats with 4 point (now 6 point) belts. Now plumbed-in fire extinguisher with 2
hand helds, helmet box, Brantz fuse board, RMD dials with warning lights, 5”
dish steering wheel, floor pans, carbon look door cards, intercom system.
Exterior:
Tarmac +1 arch kit, fibreglass bonnet/boot,
re-spray in Kawasaki green.
Codenamed
Brenda during development, the 1975 Escort Mk2 gained a number of new
variations and trim options as well new styling.
Thanks:
Dad for all his hard work and patience,
GRP4 Fabrications for all their help with parts, Scholar Engines, Coilin
Clinton Motorsport for his help at service, Damien for the wiring, Skerries
crash repair for paint work. Sean Woods Racing. All the lads in the Irish
Escort Club for their advice and everyone who has arrived at the garage and
lifted a spanner, or even put on the kettle. Cheers! The car wouldn’t be where
it is now without the above.
