World Land Speed Record

Aussie Invader 5R
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Aussie Invader II
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 Rosco and Aussie Invader through the years
 Present day - Aussie Invader 5R 
Aussie Invader 5R - Studies in design
   
   
   
Special thanks to Mike Annear for these images
 Over 40 years of racing and LSR attempts (click images for larger version)
A taste for speed - 350 ci Chevy V8 motorcycle, a HTP rocket powered bike and HTP rocket powered go-cart
'Crazyhorse' a Pro-Stock engined V8 powered motorcycle was an incredible machine which had no clutch, so the back wheel would sit up in a cradle, then Rosco would give it a rev and just rock it off the cradle!
 
Crazyhorse being worked on before a another 'seat of the pants' run
 
After Crazyhorse came an even higher performance rocket-powered bike which was so fast that it was not allowed to be raced on Australian tracks.
To even think of such a machine, let alone ride it further adds to this mans infatuation with speed and his 'dare to be different' approach.
 
You can't help but wonder what this machine would have done if allowed to have it's head... the mind boggles!!! 
 
 
During 1980 Rosco lived in the USA and was instrumental in the developement of a rocket-powered Go-Kart in which he hit 253mph (407 km/h)! 
 
"It was incredible feeling sitting in that thing with the fuel bubbling and gurgling just behind your head and then hitting the trottle" says Rosco  
Aussie Invader I - Drag racing in the early 1980's with a large fan base
Aussie Invader I was powered by a Westinghouse J-34 Jet engine which delivers 8,000lbs of thrust! The vehicle is 10 metres in length and weighs 1134 kilograms. Aussie Invader I was built in 1982 and was rebuilt several times. In the early days, it was the only Jet Dragster resident is Australia. Over the years it was extremely popular with race fans and regularly attracted large followings.A 6.18 second blast at 248 mph (400km/h) at Calder Park Raceway Feb 1986. Arun of 315 mph (507km/h) at Hobart Airport runway in March 1985.Aussie Invader I was specially modified to perform 'Car Burns', a brilliant display of the machine's awesome power. This is acheived by chaining a normal family station wagon behind the 'Invader' and then selecting the afterburner to literally blow the wagon to pieces.
 Truck and trailer for the Aussie Invader 1 roadshowIn March 1987 (after a world-wide search for a suitable vehicle) Aussie Invader I was used for a European television commercial. The filming was done at Lake Deborah (near Southern Cross, Western Australia). Speeds attained during the filming were in excess of 300 mph (480km/h).Aussie Invader appeared regularly at motor shows and promotional eventsRosco did drive a jet funnycar for Ken Warby on an Australian Tour. Ken is still the World Water Speed Record holder, which he set in 1979 at Blowering Dam at 317 mph. 
    
Aussie Invader II - Broke the Australian LSR with 802 km/h in March 1994
Aussie Invader 2 promotional shoot and Pearce Air Force base in Perth, WAAussie Invader 2 at Pearce Air Force base for test runs and promotional film shoot with Rosco and his wife CherylAussie Invader 2 ready to make LSR runAussie Invader 2 and 3 side by side
For pictures of Aussie Invader II and the team breaking the Australian LSR, please click here
 
Aussie Invader III - Achieved 643 mph (1026 km/h) on Salt in 1996
This picture sums up what it means to drive very fast on one of earth's majestic places - Lake Gairdner Aussie Invader 3 promotional shootAussie Invader 3 ready to runAussie Invader 3 making a run with full re-heat onAussie Invader 3 on the salt - Rosco and the car have driven faster than anyone else on salt!
     
Aussie Invader IV - A return to drag racing
Aussie Invader 4 was built in Perth, Western Australia by BYRNE RACE CARS and the AUSSIE INVADER TEAMAussie Invader 1 & 4 side by side, a real crowd pleaserAussie Invader 1 & 4 putting on a showAussie Invader 4 making a 400 kph, quarter mile pass
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Aussie Invader 5R - Australia's World Land Speed Record Challenge Contender with Rosco McGlashan. Go to HOME PAGE