HOW MOTORSPORT RESTARTED AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Two bouts of foot-and-mouth disease, in 1967 and 2001, and two global fuel crises have all had a major impact on motorsport but nothing on the scale of the current conoravirus epidemic has hit all disciplines with such catastrophic effect since September 1939.

The 1967 foot-and-mouth outbreak started in late October and ran for up to six months through the winter. The 1967 RAC Rally of Great Britain was cancelled the night before it was due to start, but the impact on racing was modest due to the time of year.

In 2001, 34 years later, another outbreak of foot and mouth was confirmed and most rallying was halted for up to six months (see feature, pages 19-21). However, racing was less impacted and the majority of race meetings went ahead as planned, with disinfectant procedures in place at the entrances to circuits to try and halt the spread.

In 1956, fuel rationing was reintroduced in the UK after President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Anglo-French company operating the Suez Canal, which provided a crucial route for oil from the Persian Gulf.

There was limited impact on UK motorsport, which was still finding its feet after