Ascot Worker Dies After Hit by Race Car

David Sanborn, a course worker with the California Racing Assn., died early Sunday morning of injuries from an accident that occurred during the Chevy-Geo Labor Day Sweepstakes sprint car race Saturday night at Ascot Park.

Sanborn, 46, of Placentia, was hit while working as a flagman in the third turn of the half-mile dirt oval when the steering mechanism on a car driven by Kim Craft of Hacienda Heights apparently broke and the out-of-control vehicle slid into Sanborn.

He was taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center where he died of a broken neck and internal bleeding, according to Frank Lewis, president of the CRA. The accident occurred on the 43rd lap of the 50-lap main event. The race was stopped while medical workers attended to Sanborn. It was restarted and won by Ron Shuman of Tempe, Ariz.

Ascot officials said it was believed to be the first course worker fatality in the track’s history. Sanborn, who was a regular member of the CRA staff, worked as a window display designer. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen.

Services are pending.