A FORMER traffic cop with early-onset dementia, Steve Howe, enjoyed a trip down the fast track of memory lane, courtesy of his care home in Witley.

The 62-year-old, better known as Stevie, has been a full time resident of Surrey Heights for the past six years.

But he has long strived to experience the thrill of a high-speed chase again, and his dream came true thanks to Car Chase Heroes.

Stevie was whizzed around the Top Gear track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in a McLaren 570S, which can reach speeds of 204mph and accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 3.2 seconds.

He described the experience as “brilliant, fantastic and priceless”, adding he would love to do it “again and again”.

Shaye Robinson, wellbeing co-ordinator at Surrey Heights, said: “We’ve made a dream come true for Stevie. He’s always talking about the high-speed chases he used to have and we used to keep joking with him about chasing thieves or drunk drivers.

“For him to be able to come out and do something like this is massive. It put a smile on his face and put some excitement back in his life.”

The Car Chase Heroes track day experience company was founded by Tom Roche, a competitive race driver in the Porsche Series. It has a fleet of more than 30 vehicles and specialises in American muscle cars, movie cars and supercars.

Stevie’s supercar driver, Daniel Macro, said that it was a pleasure to take Stevie – as a fellow car fanatic – around the track.

Daniel added: “It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are, you’re always going to be into cars. When I found out about Stevie’s former career in the force, I kind of thought it might pit us against him, considering he’s an ex-pursuit driver.”

Surrey Heights is part of the family-owned CHD Living care home group. It provides residential care to those who are diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s and related illnesses.