‘We want them back racing': Dad of eight-year-old killed in drag racing crash says

The father of junior drag racer Anita Board, 8, who tragically died in a crash last weekend says he wants people "back racing" after the State Government imposed a suspension on the races following his daughter's death.

Anita died in hospital last Sunday, a day after her dragster slammed into a wall at a junior race at the Perth Motorplex.

The Western Australian government on Monday announced it would suspend all junior drag racing pending the outcome of an investigation, but Mr Broad wants it to be reinstated and said he is "not happy with the suspension.

Perth Motorplex has also been closed while police carried out their own investigation.

Anita's father Ian Board said he didn't believe a major change to junior drag racing was needed.

“We do want kids to go on and enjoy their racing," the heartbroken dad said.

“We do understand that there’ll need to be a couple of changes, we don’t believe there needs to be a major change."

Mr Board said his family have been "overwhelmed by the response" from the general public, The West Australian reports.

• 'My heart is in a million pieces': Perth girl, 8, dies after drag race crash

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• Government bans junior drag racing after Anita Board's death

He said many have questioned the family's choice to put their child into a sport which "a lot of people don't understand".

“They don’t understand the risk involved and the impeccable safety record up until this point.”

Mr Board said he wants to leave a legacy for his daughter that doesn't see the sport get suspended.

“We want to get this sport back up and running in WA, we’re not happy with this suspension," he said.

“We believe we know where the critical things went wrong. But until the coroner has got all the facts we’re not going to go into any detail.

“Kids race every weekend somewhere in Australia and around the world.

"We want them back racing (in WA), there’s no doubt about that, but we want them back with the changes in place to make a one-in- a-million (event) a one-in-a-trillion.”

On Saturday, Sports Minister Mick Murray said he was “concerned” at a report that said Anita was travelling at 85km/h before she crashed.

“I hope the inquiry includes looking at the speeds of these vehicles and hopefully the report can be concluded in a timely manner,” Mr Murray said.

Mr Board said his daughter's smile "was infectious and brightened everyone's days".

"Anita was passionate about drag racing and was excited to be joining her sister at the track to race.

"We were blessed to have eight years with her.

"She said this was going to be 'the best day ever'."

Under current rules, junior drag racers as young as eight are able to drive at up to speeds of 96km/h.

Anita was trying to qualify for her junior dragster racing licence, which was intended to be her birthday present.