I was going to cover the airfield tracks Tony but decided that WWII caused a much more fundamental change in the world. Technical development went ahead at great pace - we finished with better production techniques, materials, jet engines, radar, rudementry guidance systems and landing aids. This made the world more accessable and air travel faster and safer.
Prewar motor sport was insular and confined to our own continent - Europe, Americas etc. After globalisation started, in my view, the airfield tracks merely accelerated our involvement. More speed, once lower more steamlined cars were produced meant more power required, the US V8 became a cheap option - Allard and AC spring to mind. US Muscle Cars were imported and things just continued from there until we arrived at the current position.
Bill
Ps Subject for a thesis.