New Escort nears completion for Richie Dalton

After a somewhat disappointing 2018 season, Richie Dalton is set to bounce back in 2019 with a brand new car currently nearing completion.

Sydney-based Dalton has a new 2-litre Duratec-powered Ford Escort Mk2 on the go, with the car set to be finished by Christmas.

The Escort features a Holinger ZF dog box, ‘Race Products’ full floating historic spec axle with camber adjuster, and MCA Gold 3-way suspension all round, with camber adjustments.

The car is being built by Matt Wildridge of Wildridge Fabrications, and while it is currently fitted with the Duratec engine, it has also been wired to accept the high-revving BDG motor.

Dalton hasn’t settled on a program for 2019 yet, but says that he’ll hopefully be doing the Otago Rally in New Zealand – although at this stage he’s not sure if that will be in the Escort, or in another high profile car.

The East Coast Classic Rally Series is also on his radar.

Dalton endured a tough season in the New Zealand Rally Championship this year, with reliability problems in his Ford Fiesta Proto.

That followed on from his brilliant 8th place at Rally Australia last year, where he drove a Skoda Fabia R5 for the first time.