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ROSCO The Fastest Aussie on Earth: The incredible story of Australian drag racing and land speed legend Rosco McGlashan's life
Fewer people have driven a car at over 620 mph (1,000 km/h) than have walked on the Moon. Rosco McGlashan is one of them!
Rosco, the Australian land speed record holder, is building the world’s most powerful car with a 62,000-pound thrust rocket engine (equivalent to around 200,000 horsepower). He is attempting to break the World Land Speed Record and push it to 1,600 km/h (1,000 mph). This biography is an incredible story of a motor racing legend obsessed with speed, raw horsepower, and living on the edge.
This book is certainly not your typical motor racing memoir. Rosco’s early life was undoubtedly challenging and not one of privilege like some in motor racing. However, when things got bad, and he found himself in prison and solitary confinement, his life could have spiralled into a lifetime of crime. Instead, he found salvation through his love of speed and motor racing.
This memoir chronicles his journey, leading to incredible adventures and Rosco meeting inspiring people. There is something in this biography for everyone. It will make you laugh and possibly cry, hopefully leaving you motivated on your journey.
The subject solely dictates the style of this book, Rosco McGlashan, a straight-talking Australian motor racing legend and a little bit rough around the edges. I have always felt Rosco’s life should be written as it was told to me and many others in his own words. I know you will enjoy this book, and it isn’t just for motor racing fans. It’s a human story about one man’s journey and obsession with speed to overcome many setbacks to become THE FASTEST MAN ON EARTH!
So, sit down, grab a coffee and strap yourself in for a fast ride and one of the most incredible motor racing memoirs I believe you will ever read.
Rosco, the Australian land speed record holder, is building the world’s most powerful car with a 62,000-pound thrust rocket engine (equivalent to around 200,000 horsepower). He is attempting to break the World Land Speed Record and push it to 1,600 km/h (1,000 mph). This biography is an incredible story of a motor racing legend obsessed with speed, raw horsepower, and living on the edge.
This book is certainly not your typical motor racing memoir. Rosco’s early life was undoubtedly challenging and not one of privilege like some in motor racing. However, when things got bad, and he found himself in prison and solitary confinement, his life could have spiralled into a lifetime of crime. Instead, he found salvation through his love of speed and motor racing.
This memoir chronicles his journey, leading to incredible adventures and Rosco meeting inspiring people. There is something in this biography for everyone. It will make you laugh and possibly cry, hopefully leaving you motivated on your journey.
The subject solely dictates the style of this book, Rosco McGlashan, a straight-talking Australian motor racing legend and a little bit rough around the edges. I have always felt Rosco’s life should be written as it was told to me and many others in his own words. I know you will enjoy this book, and it isn’t just for motor racing fans. It’s a human story about one man’s journey and obsession with speed to overcome many setbacks to become THE FASTEST MAN ON EARTH!
So, sit down, grab a coffee and strap yourself in for a fast ride and one of the most incredible motor racing memoirs I believe you will ever read.
390 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2023
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Mark J. Read
2 books2 followersMy book, ROSCO The Fastest Aussie on Earth, is about my friend, Rosco McGlashan. He is an Australian drag racing champion, land speed record holder and motor racing legend.
I started building cars at fifteen and have always been fascinated with mechanical problems. Land speed records and drag racing are all about solving problems. I have been working with Rosco to build the world's fastest car (Aussie Invader 5R), in which Rosco and the Aussie Invader team intend to break the world land speed record and achieve a 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h).
The Aussie Invader 5R project is a testament to dedication and teamwork. For fifteen years, I've poured my heart and soul into this labour of love, working alongside Rosco and some of the world's best mechanics, engineers, and rocket scientists. We've all volunteered our time and expertise, driven by a shared passion for pushing the limits of speed.
The book's goal is to help raise awareness of our land speed record attempt, with the proceeds from the book going towards supporting our challenge.
Mark J Read
Author and proud member of the Aussie Invader team.
PS Your support and feedback mean a lot. I read every review personally, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with readers who share my passion for speed, engineering and innovation.
I started building cars at fifteen and have always been fascinated with mechanical problems. Land speed records and drag racing are all about solving problems. I have been working with Rosco to build the world's fastest car (Aussie Invader 5R), in which Rosco and the Aussie Invader team intend to break the world land speed record and achieve a 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h).
The Aussie Invader 5R project is a testament to dedication and teamwork. For fifteen years, I've poured my heart and soul into this labour of love, working alongside Rosco and some of the world's best mechanics, engineers, and rocket scientists. We've all volunteered our time and expertise, driven by a shared passion for pushing the limits of speed.
The book's goal is to help raise awareness of our land speed record attempt, with the proceeds from the book going towards supporting our challenge.
Mark J Read
Author and proud member of the Aussie Invader team.
PS Your support and feedback mean a lot. I read every review personally, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with readers who share my passion for speed, engineering and innovation.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 16, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book on Rosco McGlashan and read it from cover to cover in two days !
I have met Rosco and his team and have been to his workshop on several occasions marvelling at the project. I have bought him a couple of "reds " when they knocked off on a Wednesday afternoon. However I really did not know a fraction of his history that this book spells out in detail. I am a car restorer and can relate to some of the great trials they went though to get Aussie Invader 5R to this stage and but am in awe of their achievments so far.Whilst the logistics of the build are amazing the technical challenges they have had to overcome are truely on another level. Only someone with the drive, ambition and determination that Rosco has could get the project to this stage.
I really hope to see him achieve his goal in the next year or two and would love to be on the sidelines watching.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a facinating life of great achievments to fulfil his life's ambition. A great read ( no pun intended ) by Mark Read.
I have met Rosco and his team and have been to his workshop on several occasions marvelling at the project. I have bought him a couple of "reds " when they knocked off on a Wednesday afternoon. However I really did not know a fraction of his history that this book spells out in detail. I am a car restorer and can relate to some of the great trials they went though to get Aussie Invader 5R to this stage and but am in awe of their achievments so far.Whilst the logistics of the build are amazing the technical challenges they have had to overcome are truely on another level. Only someone with the drive, ambition and determination that Rosco has could get the project to this stage.
I really hope to see him achieve his goal in the next year or two and would love to be on the sidelines watching.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a facinating life of great achievments to fulfil his life's ambition. A great read ( no pun intended ) by Mark Read.
April 22, 2023
Rosco
Very interesting read, enjoyed all the experiences shared about builds and all the different cars and propulsion methods try tried.
Very interesting read, enjoyed all the experiences shared about builds and all the different cars and propulsion methods try tried.
December 20, 2024
I don’t read much but Mark did such a great job of putting it together, I couldn’t put this book down. Rosco has shared some of these experiences with me previously and I always think wow, this guy is for real & so determined.
Every part of the book tells of real events that have happened in his life. Some would be happy to have had just one of his experiences.
There is probably no one alive that I can say has achieved what Rosco has set out to do from such a young age. He has lived the hard times in his childhood but has learned so much from life. His book does not hold back on what he got up to as a young man. But as they say, ‘You have to be young & stupid before you’re old & wise’.
Rosco’s book is a real-life story about living a dream & never giving up. He proves that if you just keep on keeping on, your dream can become a reality. He understands that everything is not always on the up, rather it’s about living the lows & riding the highs. He has always had people around him that believe in what he has set out to achieve will happen.
Yes, time gets in the way, but this project has never been done before in this manner, so it will take as long as it takes to do properly. His amazing team have had to design a rocket that has never been designed before. That in itself is a fantastic achievement.
If anyone can do this, it’s Rosco & his team.
Every part of the book tells of real events that have happened in his life. Some would be happy to have had just one of his experiences.
There is probably no one alive that I can say has achieved what Rosco has set out to do from such a young age. He has lived the hard times in his childhood but has learned so much from life. His book does not hold back on what he got up to as a young man. But as they say, ‘You have to be young & stupid before you’re old & wise’.
Rosco’s book is a real-life story about living a dream & never giving up. He proves that if you just keep on keeping on, your dream can become a reality. He understands that everything is not always on the up, rather it’s about living the lows & riding the highs. He has always had people around him that believe in what he has set out to achieve will happen.
Yes, time gets in the way, but this project has never been done before in this manner, so it will take as long as it takes to do properly. His amazing team have had to design a rocket that has never been designed before. That in itself is a fantastic achievement.
If anyone can do this, it’s Rosco & his team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2023
A thrilling biography about Rosco McGlashan, the Australian land speed record holder who is attempting to break the World Land Speed Record with a 62,000-pound thrust rocket engine. This book is not just about motor racing but also about the incredible journey of a man who overcame adversity and found salvation through his love of speed and adventure. With its raw, straight-talking style, this book is an inspiring and thrilling read that will leave readers motivated to chase their own dreams.
April 11, 2023
An incredible biography that chronicles the inspiring journey of Rosco McGlashan, an Australian land speed record holder who is attempting to break the World Land Speed Record. This book is not just about motor racing but also about the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. The book's raw, straight-talking style captures the spirit of Rosco's incredible journey and will leave readers motivated to chase their own dreams.
June 29, 2025
Great book. Met Rosco years ago at one Adelaide Motor Show and had a brief chat. This book is a great story of a boy who grew up to a man with a great passion for fast cars. The history is fascinating how much money and effort goes into land speed record attempts. Hope his latest project does come to realisation before too long. Wishing you the very best.
January 13, 2024
An incredible true story about an inspirational Australian. With enough technical detail to sate curiosity without getting ploughed down. An easy to read book which can be comfortably completed within a few sessions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews