Roscoe McGlashan #180
Mullaloo, Western Australia
| Year | Vehicle | Class | SPEED | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27/03/1994 | Aussie Invader II | Category C, Group Jet | 497.90 MPH, 801.30 KPH | 403.10MPH |
| 1996 | Aussie Invader III | Category C, Group Jet | 638MPH* | 633MPH |
MPH shown in RED is highest speed recorded for that class up and including that year.
Records shown are the highest speed attained for that class from all previous years
or have never had a vehicle register a speed for that class and are considered Open.
* This was a one way speed only
Aussie Invader II
Aussie Invader III
Aussie Invader 5rRosco McGlashan, the "Fastest Aussie on Earth" will attempt to become the fastest man in the world by exceeding 900 mph in his new rocket powered Aussie Invader race car. McGlashan announced that he is engaged in ongoing design discussions for the world's fastest car with rocket motor developer SpaceDev of Poway, California, and with car designer John "Ackers" Ackroyd of the Isle of Wight.
In 1997, McGlashan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for driving a jet-propelled car to a speed of 642 mph.
McGlashan announced that he will attempt to set a new World Land Speed Record in a car propelled by a rocket motor which he expects to be provided by SpaceDev. SpaceDev recently provided the critical rocket motor propulsion technology for the history-making SpaceShipOne in its winning of the $10 million Ansari X Prize on October 4, 2004.
"This is an exciting once-in-a-lifetime adventure that I have been looking forward to for most of my life," said McGlashan.
To accommodate the fuel cells required it is being built at over 55 feet in length and almost 10 feet in tailfin height.
- Length 55 feet
- Height 10 feet
- 300,000 horsepower
- powered by LOX / JP5 rockets
In 1993, Rosco with the help of 25 professionals, all volunteers, assembled his first Land Speed Racer known as “Aussie Invader II”. This car was powered by a 36,000 hp Mirage Jet Fighter Engine. This racer was a culmination of 10 years blood, sweat and tears. On the first outing Aussie Invader II reached a speed of 450 mph. Due to bad weather, the team were forced away from their Salt Lake race venue, in central Australia and back to their base in Western Australia, to prepare for their next attack on the Australian Land Speed Record of 403 mph.
1994 saw a revamped Aussie Invader II and a much more experienced race team. Rosco McGlashan became the “Fastest Aussie On Earth” with an official 500 mph two way pass. Not being content to settle with an Australian Record, Rosco convinced a nervous team that he would have a go at the World Land Speed Record, despite poor salt conditions, rain and bad light.
Rosco ran his racer southbound on a track in very poor condition. At 580 mph Aussie Invader II broke through the salt surface and tram-lined through the timing equipment, 200 yards away from the tracks measured mile. Aussie Invader II was a write-off. Immediately the team went to work on a newer, sleeker and more powerful car, Aussie Invader III.
The Aussie Invader Team returned to Lake Gairdner in South Australia in 1996. After some test passes, the car recorded a peak speed of 638 mph which was faster than the World Land Speed Record held by Richard Noble at 633 mph, however to claim a new world record, two passes must be made in opposite directions within one hour and again bad weather prevented the team from achieving this goal.
In 1997 the British in their twin jet engine car ran 763 mph, creating the biggest jump in the history of the Land Speed Record, with their car going supersonic on the way. This effectively made Aussie Invader III redundant.