THE axe came down on one of Britain’s top Banger Racing drivers on Saturday when West Walton Banger Driver Steve “Psycho” Hemmings finally hung up his helmet in front of thousands of adoring fans.

More than 20 Mainland European and Irish drivers were part of a bumper field of 178 cars which assembled at Norfolk Arena, King’s Lynn, to participate in Axe-Tinction, an event held to celebrate his retirement.

Racing has been his life for the past 20 years but he says he is doing the right thing.

He said: “It’s the right decision. I said I was packing up when I was 40 and then I’ll just come out for this meeting. It’s knocks and bangs on my neck and back.

“I’ve got a bad back and my neck isn’t too cracking. You can change your driving style but you’ve still got people out there who want to hit you.

“You still end up in the same situations so it’s time to pack up. I don’t want to be saying in 10 years ‘I wish I’d packed up ten years ago’.

“There is some sadness. You spend your life in the shed. You know, your whole life, 20 years, down the garage every night.”