Video: Mighty pre-war Grand Prix cars battle in chaotic conditions

What began as only a slight dampness soon turned into a sodden race, and the primitive motors slipped and slid as their intrepid drivers struggled to keep them on track.

On a couple of occasions, the period-spec tyres lost grip and the vehicles performed magnificent skids, their drivers left wrestling with the uncooperative chassis. With all bar two more than 80-years-old, the unrefined cars require brute force rather than a delicate touch…