WA Government to suspend junior drag racing after death of 8yo girl
The WA Government has announced they will suspend all junior drag racing while an investigation gets underway into the death of Anita Board, the eight-year-old girl who died on the weekend after a race at Perth Motorplex.
According to Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray, the junior drag racing competition will be halted until the police investigation is complete.
“The suspension of this category of motorsport activity allows for a full investigation to be carried out into the nature of the accident,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Anita's father Ian Board described her as "a bright and bubbly personality."
"Her smile was infectious and brightened everyone’s days," he said.
"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'.
"We chose drag racing as we knew it was a safe form of motor sport."
WA division director of the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) Terry Jongen said Anita Board's death had hit the drag racing community hard.
"ANDRA regulations for Junior competition are bench marked against similar organisations internationally and safety is always the priority," Mr Jongen said.
"Like all sporting codes, we are constantly seeking to improve.
"Once the continuing police investigation into Saturday’s tragic incident at the Perth Motorplex is concluded, ANDRA will undertake its own internal investigation into what happened and what can be learned."
On Monday Acting Premier Roger Cook said that consideration needed to be given to raising the participation age.
“We need to look at the full range of safety measures that are in place," Mr Cook told Perth Now.
"We can’t wrap our kids up in cotton wool but we do need to make sure we are protecting them and they aren’t taking unnecessary risks."
Mr Cook said he had not been aware of the junior drag racing phenomenon, or that children as young as eight could participate.
“I’ve spent some time with the junior speedway group and I’ve been impressed with the way they put safety measures in place and make sure that they only undertake modified control of these vehicles," he said.
Under current rules, junior drag racers as young as eight are able to drive at up to speeds of 96km an hour.
“96km an hour seems an extraordinary speed to me, I think that would strike anyone as an extraordinary speed for an eight year old to be doing,” Mr Cook said.
Anita Board suffered fatal injuries when she lost control of her dragster and crashed into a wall at Perth Motorplex in Kwinana on Saturday afternoon.
She was trying to qualify for her junior dragster racing licence, which was intended to be her birthday present.
Messages of love and condolence poured in on social media after her death was confirmed by WA Police on Sunday.
"Our angel setting off on what was meant to be a day to remember... my heart is in a million pieces," her father wrote on Facebook.
