The following 180 colour photos are split into chapters as they appear in the printed and ebook versions for easier reference. They span Rosco’s early life, through his drag racing and land speed record cars, right up to today, with the latest land speed car Aussie Invader 5R.

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Chapter 1 – Love, Loss and Life’s Lessons

My sister Jill sitting in my first project.

Chapter 6 – Thrust or Bust

Krazy Horse V8 drag bike
Rocket motorcycle and world record rocket go-kart
rocket bike and rocket go-kart.

Chapter 11 – Construction of a Record Breaker

Aussie Invader 2 under construction. Jet engine sitting next to the car.
The mould process of creating Aussie Invader 2's body.
Aussie Invader 2 being tested at Pearce RAAF base in Perth, WA.
John Deere hand-forged the wheels.

Chapter 12 – Early Trips, Travels and Tales in Australia

Racing with Ken Warby and his team.
Learning to drive jet funny cars as part of Ken's jet racing spectacular.
Our drag racing jet cars were in great demand across Australia.
Me kitted out to race with Ken Warby.

Chapter 13 – The First Record Attempt

The unveiling of Aussie Invader 2 in Perth's town centre.
Our first time on the salt at Lake Gairdner.
Setting up camp and getting some photos of the land speed car.
The salt was very corrosive and conditions very not very good.
Going after the record set by Donald Campbell.
Recovering the car after a run.
Living in such a remote location was challenging, and not just for us but also the wild life.
The car takes a pounding on the salt and needs constant repairs and maintenance.
The windscreen we tested to breaking point with a crossbow to satisfy CAMS officials.

Chapter 14 – Return to The Lake

Back on Lake Gairdner for a second time to get that elusive record.
Marking out the track was a big job, but necessary.
We were constantly where encountering problems with the track conditions and time equipment.
The team worked around the clock to keep the car running.
Disaster strikes as we hit water at 500 km/h.
Finally we get the Australian land speed record we had been chasing for so long.
We have a big party to celebrate the new Australian land speed record of 802.6 km/h.
Time to relax for a few hours to mark our great achievement.
Now we go after the British world land speed record of Richard Noble.

Chapter 15 – Inches From Disaster

We return for a third time to Lake Gairdner for another attempt at the world land speed record.
Still the steering problems persist on a wet track.
Aussie Invader 2's chutes fail and we end up in the wet part of the track.
Disaster strikes when we hit a timing stand to destroy Aussie Invader 2's engine.
Close up shots of the damage to the car.

Chapter 16 – Aussie Invader 3 – So Near, But So Far

Aussie Invader 3 is born in 1995.
The grand unveiling of Aussie Invader 3 and it arrives at Lake Gairdner.
Ready to race. Hoping to set a new Australian land speed record.
Great photos of the car by Richard Humphrys.
Taking Aussie Invader 3 out for its first test run.
Although retired, Aussie Invader 3 is one of the prettiest land speed cars ever to race.
Aussie Invader 3 is sold at auction in 2016.

Chapter 17 – The Dynamic Duo

Me with Joe Brown and The Arizona Outlaw team.
Aussie Invader 1 and me with Doug Brown.
Aussie Invader 1 gets a makeover for a TV commercial. We put on a show for the crowd with a car burn.
The Aussie Invader 1 team.
Jet dragster Aussie Invader 1 and me as the driver.
Jet dragster Aussie Invader 4 and USA driver Joe Brown.
Aussie Invader 4 was built in less than a year in 1996.
Aussie Invader 1 performing a crowd pleasing fire show.
Joe Brown and me on tour in New Zealand.

Chapter 18 – False Starts for Aussie Invader 5

I need a stiff drink after I get kidnapped in Russia.
Watching the North American Eagle team with John Ackroyd.
The North American Eagle undergoing some work.
A dust storm hits the camp and no racing.
Early iterations of Aussie Invader 5, and a present from Russia.

Chapter 20 – How to Build The World’s Fastest Car

Cutaway diagram of Aussie Invader 5R left side.
Cutaway diagram of Aussie Invader 5R right side.
I meet up with Peter Beck of Rocket Lab in New Zealand.
Aussie Invader 5R at the Avalon Airshow in 2023.
Cutaway 3D CAD drawing of Aussie Invader 5R.

Chapter 21 – Build Events and Milestones – Part 1

Early in the build of Aussie Invader 5R.
Sydney Motor Show in 2012 and Red Dirt Revival in 2014.
We discover a photo of me racing a jet dragster down a street in Boulder and attend the 50th anniversary of Donald Campbell's dual world records with Gina Campbell.
A visit from Andy Green the world's fastest man.
More guests at my home, including Richard Noble.

Chapter 23 – Build Events and Milestones – Part 2

Another trip to see Peter Beck and his latest Rocket Lab innovations.
Aussie Invader 5R's tail fin is fitted.
Meeting with Jay Leno in the USA.
Out first public outings with Aussie Invader 5R.
Impossible Engineering documentary shoot.
A pressure test of our propellant module.

Chapter 24 – Aussie Invader 5R in Pictures

Avalon Airshow 2023.
Our 1000 mph wheels are produced.
Photos of some of the incredible engineering that has gone into our car.
Our rear axle and brake setup.
The roll cage and rocket engine.
The machining of the tail fin.
More tail fin photos with the air brakes deployed.
Canards and front wheel setup.
An early and current steering wheel design.
Drogue gun components and our shoot location for Impossible Engineering documentary.
A view of the cockpit and the controls, with the canopy up.
Photos of the propellant module.
More photos of the propellant module.
Some carbon fibre components. Canopy and rocket nozzle.

Chapter 25 – The Woman Behind The Man

Photoshoot with Rosco.
Cheryl, Rosco's wife at work and play.
Cheryl with Bryce and Rosco.
Cheryl ready to celebrate a new Australian land speed record.
Rosco and Cheryl at one of their many motor show appearances.

Chapter 27 – Awards, Honours and Appearances

Rosco receiving the keys of the city of Perth, and working at a kids hospital.
WA RAC's walk of fame.
Rosco's Order of Australian medal letter.
Exposure in a Discovery Documentary and a display of his achievements in the WA Boorla Bardip Museum.

Miscellaneous – Extra Photos

ROSCO The Fastest Aussie on Earth and his machines.
Portrait by John Dixon.
Aussie Invader logo designs.
Mark Read with Rosco and first prints of the book