Major News Update - August 2026

Hi to all our supporters, friends and brilliant sponsors. We hope you are all well and on top of the world. This is a major update and one I have wanted to write for a long time.
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We have been under the pump big time over the past few months, and so far, there is not a day of rest in sight, which is great.
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We recently learned from our Chinese propellant suppliers that we could no longer purchase their white fuming nitric acid (WFNA) oxidiser we need for our current rocket engine setup. This is due to global instability, shipping disruptions, and significantly higher supply and delivery costs. The good thing is that a crazy world makes our project seem more normal, and there are many positives from this change. So, please read to the end of this news update to understand what they are and where we are heading.
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THE CHALLENGE: Setbacks Only Make Us More Determined

There is no doubt the propellant change initially appears to be setback, as we wanted to use a propellant combination that could withstand a high evaporation rate in a hot desert environment. My team and I had spent a lot of time, as well as fabrication sponsors' work and effort, on our OPM (Orbital Propellant Module), rocket engine interface, and injector set-up, but you have to look deeper. Shipping volatile propellants internationally in this day and age is a nightmare, with licensing, security and global instability, not to mention very expensive.
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As always, our fearless team looked at our options and realised we don’t have a new propellant answer and didn’t have many known options. But challenges like that only spur us on and are what separate the men from the boys.
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We are the last team standing in the unlimited land speed record challenge after all our original competitors have, for various reasons, hung up their googles and helmets. We know many international motorsport fans, want to see our car run. So, we shrugged and said, “Well, better get on with it then.”
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The Fastest Man on Earth, our good friend Andy Green OBE, knows a thing or two about going fast, and was the first man to go supersonic. He stated many years ago that developing a car capable of reaching 1000 mph would take 20 years; we have been on the job for 15 years, so we are still ahead of schedule. 😉
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Andy Green has just set a new world record for a hydrogen-powered car at 406 mph. Well done, Andy and the JCB Hydromax Team.

THE LOCATION: Satellite Data Mapping Company to Help

We are currently planning a new location for our record runs. We have always liked the alkali playa located in our state's northern Derby region. This is a vast area, and our previous road trips to find the perfect track have proved too hard and very time-consuming.
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We met with the Defence West Team and outlined what we are looking for: a 30 km-long firm stretch of flat alkali playa, preferably oriented north-south, close to some form of accommodation and workshop-type infrastructure.
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It was suggested we approach a satellite data mapping company for assistance. Lucky for us, at the same time, a very dear friend retired from his job as a race controller after 40 years of dedicated service to racers in Australia and around the world. I immediately contacted Ray Treasure and asked him to join our team as Logistics Manager, working with the relevant authorities and companies to locate a suitable race site.
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This site needs access to water and facilities to feed a group of around 60 people. This includes a race team of about 20, TV and film crews, track prep teams, cooks, medics and sponsors. Welcome aboard, Ray.

PARTNER ALERT: Welcome To Snowdon Consulting Ltd.

Our search for new propellants led us to New Zealand, where I have some amazing Kiwi friends and fond memories of racing many times in my younger years at Pukekohe. I have always marvelled at the ingenuity of our nearest neighbours Down Under.
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So, when a solution was not readily available in Australia, we looked to our friends in New Zealand for help. Having worked with Rocket Lab in the past, we know just how good New Zealand's rocketry work is. I reached out to a past contact and was given the details of a new, highly respected rocket company that is kicking goals in this exciting, expanding global market.
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​Snowdon Consulting’s name came up, so I contacted them. They were very interested and keen to help us. We are now working with the Snowdon Consulting Team on a brand-new propulsion concept and plan to conduct engine tests in the new year. The good thing for us is that their engine design is based on globally available propellants, and their technology is tried and tested. We just need to adapt it to fit into our car.
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For us to be able to engage Snowdon Consulting, we needed money, something that has always proved difficult; however, two past sponsors offered us a very generous cash injection, that allowed us to engage Snowdon Consulting to get discussions underway.
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Their money is allowing the preliminary work to take place, and although this sounds like a step backwards, we look at it as definitely two steps forward for us. However, more donations and sponsorship are needed to get this rocket engine completed, fitted and tested.
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PARTNER ALERT: Lights, Camera, Action!

THIS IS REALLY EXCITING! Our guru team member, Mark Read, and I have been working with a US movie production company for several months. We have now signed a letter of intent and are working toward Aussie Invader 5R playing a key role in a new global blockbuster movie, featuring live-action footage of the car. This movie will feature a blockbuster stunt budget, so the intention is for testing and running of the car to be funded from the films budget. This is a massive shot in the arm for the project.
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The filming of Aussie Invader 5R will take place in Australia and the thriving Australian film industry is also heavily involved. Fingers crossed this comes together, because the money on offer will allow us set records. It is early days, but things are looking promising, and there are some big names and famous people involved in this movie; hopefully as things progress, we will be allowed to say more.
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PARTNER ALERT: Thank You, Concept Marketing

​Concept Marketing has been working diligently behind the scenes, helping raise the project's profile and funds, as well as assisting with the large volume of work we currently have. Hitting a lot of fronts at once means we may have to engage outside help, which has to be paid for.
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​If your company wants to be associated with the Aussie Invader 5R project and have its brand on our car, which could appear in a Hollywood blockbuster and help set a new world land speed record, you need to be talking to Concept Marketing. Click on "PARTNER WITH US" and we will pass on your details to them.

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​GET INVOLVED AND BE A PART OF HISTORY!

WORK NEVER STOPS: Current Work in Progress

As part of the work with Snowdon Consulting, the team and I have recently spent a week removing most of the heavy internal components from the car that make up our current rocket system. This allows us to weigh the car to confirm the precise rolling chassis weight and centre of gravity.
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Snowdon Consulting have been conducting work and calculations to make sure the car will perform as required to set a record. They will also need to adapt their rocket system to fit snuggly into our Aussie Invader 5R's mainframe.
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We had to create a map of the available space and used some cutting-edge laser scanning equipment, to precisely measure the internal capacity of our car's mainframe. Mike Annear a long-time team member was on hand to conduct this and operate this equipment. Thanks Mike.
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Hopefully soon we will travel to New Zealand to meet with key members of Snowdon Consulting and be able to witness a test rocket firing.
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Our Friends at MX Aircraft have started on a brand-new aero-slick nose for us, using Chepco’s latest and toughest carbon fibre products. This nose also has a much tougher wheel foreign object debris (FOD) blast wall and some extra access hatches to evacuate dust buildup off our front wheels, which can cause massive vibration problems.

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After a series of bump tests on our front suspension, and whilst our car is back to a rolling chassis, we decided to adopt a new-style gas/hydraulic front suspension unit from Kaller. This unit will give us more stroke and a controlled rebound on our front, hopefully meaning I won’t lose any of my teeth when I drive it.

READ OUR BOOKS: These Books Make Incredible Presents

ROSCO The Fastest Aussie on Earth

Learn the real story behind my life and racing career. It has been a #1 bestseller on Amazon and other book sites. It has now also been published by IngramSpark. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORTING THE PROJECT!​
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• These races lead to amazing, funny adventures and stories that will leave you laughing out loud.
• His V8 drag bike and jet dragsters take him from Australia to the USA and New Zealand.
• Rosco gets kidnapped by the Russian Mafia and fights his way out.
• He crashed a car at close to 600 mph (960 km/h) and clinically died on an operating table.
• If you like motivational and inspiring books, this book is for you. Quitting is not in this man's DNA.
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How To Build The World's Fastest Car

This is an inspiring children’s motorsport book, perfect for early and middle grades. Discover jaw-dropping facts about a car that is 200 times more powerful than a Formula One car. NOW WITH AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE QUIZ.
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• A full-colour STEM adventure for kids about the world’s fastest car, Aussie Invader 5R.
• Packed with high-quality racing photos and CAD drawings.
• This engaging kids’ motor racing book explains complex ideas in simple, step-by-step language.
• This book explores topics like aerodynamics, rocket science, drag, jet engines, and going supersonic
• Inspire a future engineer, race car designer or rocket scientist.
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We look forward to updating you again very soon with more exciting news. Thank you and best wishes to all our supporters, sponsors and friends.
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​Kind regards,

Rosco, Cheryl and the Aussie Invader Team.
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