UPDATE: Eight-year-old Anita Board has sadly died in Princess Margaret Hospital after a horror crash at the Perth Motorplex on Saturday.

Little Anita’s family had kept a bedside vigil overnight, but sadly the eight-year-old lost her fight for life on Sunday afternoon.

“Tragically, the eight-year-old girl involved in a crash at the Kwinana Motorplex yesterday has died as a result of the injuries she sustained,” a police spokesperson confirmed.

“Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.”

Camera Icon Anita Board sadly lost her fight for life on Sunday. Credit: 7 News

Anita, who turned eight on Thursday, lost control of her dragster just before 2pm yesterday and reportedly slammed into a wall near an exit gate.

The impact was so great she had to be revived at the crash scene by paramedics who were on duty at the event. An ambulance spokesman said she was taken to Rockingham Hospital before being transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital late yesterday afternoon in a critical condition.

The tragic death comes hours after little Anita Board’s father thanked people for their love and support.

“We are all hurting at this time,” Ian Board said from Princess Margaret Hospital last night.

“We’d like to thank our family and friends and our motorsport family for the love and support.”

Camera Icon The accident was met with despair at Kwinana Motorplex. Credit: PAPER NAME

Early on Sunday morning Mr Board posted to his family’s racing Facebook page that his heart was in “a million pieces”.

“Our angel setting out on what was meant to be a day to remember for all the right reasons,” he wrote, alongside a photo of Anita in a car on her way to Kwinana.

Scores of friends and well-wishers posted their prayers and messages of love and support for the family on Mr Board’s Facebook page. It is believed Anita was attempting to do a solo drive, which is required for young drag racers wanting to be licensed and compete in events.

VenuesWest confirmed no other vehicles were involved and that it was helping WA Police investigate the incident.

Play Video Children as young as eight can take part in drag racing at Perth Motorplex. The West Australian Video Children as young as eight can take part in drag racing at Perth Motorplex.

Anita comes from a drag racing family and their Facebook page has numerous videos and posts of the young girl in and around cars.

She had her own purple dragster, with the words “Pony Power” on the sides, and is powered by a 210cc engine.

Perth Motorplex suspended racing after the crash, but reopened the track after 5pm.

Mike Sprlyan, of Junior Dragster Australia, said it was not unusual for an eight-year-old to get behind the wheel.

Camera Icon Spectators outside the gates of Kwinana Motorplex after Anita Board was injured during on Saturday. Credit: The Sunday Times

He said competitors in junior races ranged in age from 8 to 17 and were placed in three classes depending on experience. Beginners drive what are known as “tin pots” that can reach top speeds of 40-50km/h.

“We thank all patrons and participants for their patience and understanding. Our thoughts are with the driver and family,” a statement from Motorplex said.

ANDRA said investigations continued while police want to speak with anyone who saw or took video of the crash.

Camera Icon Anita Board has died after a horror drag car crash. Credit: Supplied - Facebook

The association, the venue and motorsports fans posted messages of support for the Board family on social media.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at ANDRA are with the family and ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time,” the association said in an emailed statement.

ANDRA rules state racers aged between eight and 10 must not exceed 96km/h.