Child’s death leads to suspension of junior drag racing in Western Australia

The Western Australian Government has moved to suspend junior drag racing in Western Australia pending the outcome of a Police investigation into the death of an eight-year-old girl who was killed driving her junior dragster at Perth's Kwinana Motorplex.

Anita Board died when her dragster careened into a concrete barrier at the venue in Perth's south on Saturday.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray today announced that junior drag racing at the VenuesWest-managed facility - the only venue in Western Australia where drag racing is held - would be halted until an investigation into the nature of the accident is completed.

In a statement, Minister Murray advised “the suspension of this category of motorsport activity allows for a full investigation to be carried out into the nature of the accident.

"The State Government will wait until the details of the accident are clear following the investigation before taking any further action."

Anita turned eight on Thursday, the minimum age at which the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) allows children to compete.

ANDRA’s regulations require that racers aged between eight and 10 must not exceed 96km/h.

In a statement, ANDRA advised that the “Association is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Junior Dragster competitor Anita Board following an on track incident during an event held at the Perth Motorplex on the 11th of November.

“Everyone at the Australian National Drag Racing Association extends its sincere and deepest condolences to Anita’s family, friends and the wider drag racing community at this tragic time.

“ANDRA will continue to work with VenuesWest and continue to assist police with their investigations while supporting Anita’s family, and ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this tragic time.”

ANDRA WA Division Director Terry Jongen advised media that more than 100 children aged between eight and 17 hold junior drag racing licences in Australia, and many more compete regularly overseas.

Image: Eight-year-old Anita Board died in her dragster at Perth’s Kwinana Motorplex. Courtesy: Facebook/Ian J Board. 

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