In 2014, Rosco McGlashan was looking for a Western Australian dry mud lake long enough for Aussie Invader 5R, his rocket-powered land-speed car—not announcing a confirmed race venue. He said the team wanted a surface at least 25 kilometres long, preferably within 50 kilometres of infrastructure. The PerthNow report identified the North-West near El Questro as an area to investigate, but said no location had yet come forward.
What kind of site was McGlashan looking for?
The search was about more than finding a large, empty stretch of land. The project needed a long, usable surface suited to the car’s solid aluminium wheels, along with practical access to infrastructure and local support.
In a 15 February 2014 report, PerthNow attributed this description to McGlashan: “We need a soft, mud-lake surface, of 25-plus kilometres in length and the big thing is we’d love to find somewhere within 50km of infrastructure.” Those were his stated site preferences at the time, not a published survey of a specific lake.
- Length: at least 25 kilometres of usable surface, according to McGlashan’s 2014 statement.
- Surface: a soft, dry mud lake. The car was designed with solid aluminium wheels rather than ordinary tyres; the report said conventional tyres would not turn quickly enough at the planned speeds.
- Logistics: a preferred location within 50 kilometres of infrastructure, plus regional and local support.
Was El Questro the chosen race site?
No. PerthNow named the North-West around El Questro as a possible area to investigate, while reporting that a location had yet to come forward. That makes El Questro a lead considered during the search, not a confirmed course or approved venue.
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A suitable site would also need to be assessed for access, landowner permission, environmental constraints, safety and the condition of the surface. The available reports do not establish those factors for El Questro or another named location.
Why did Aussie Invader 5R need a mud lake?
Aussie Invader 5R was conceived as a rocket-powered land-speed car with solid aluminium wheels. PerthNow reported in 2014 that the vehicle was 16 metres long and that its planned propulsion system used liquid oxygen and biokerosene. These are specifications and plans reported at the time, not independent measurements or confirmation that the system was completed.
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McGlashan’s stated ambition was to pursue a 1,000 mph land-speed record—about 1,600 km/h. The unusual wheel design and intended speed help explain why the site search focused on a long, suitable mud-lake surface rather than a conventional track.
Did the team later plan a Kimberley attempt?
A 16 February 2022 Western Australian parliamentary speech referred to McGlashan’s hope of attempting the record in the Kimberley. That later mention provides context for the regional ambition, but it does not confirm that a course was selected, approved or used.
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Other possible locations were considered earlier. ABC News reported on 11 November 2013 that the team was looking at an outback Queensland site and had an invitation to race in the United States. Those reports show that the search was not limited to Western Australia; they do not establish that either option became the race venue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the project’s status now?
As of 8 October 2026, Aussie Invader’s project website says the vehicle is entering rocket-engine testing and describes work with New Zealand company Snowdon Consulting Ltd. These are updates from the project itself, not independent confirmation of a completed engine test or a selected and approved course.
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The sources available do not confirm that a Western Australian course has been selected and approved. The 2014 article’s figures about project completion and spending describe the project at that date and should not be read as current accounting.
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Sources and historical context
- PerthNow, Peter Law, 15 February 2014: site criteria, McGlashan’s attributed quote and reported vehicle details.
- Parliament of Western Australia, Assembly Hansard, 16 February 2022: later reference to a hoped-for Kimberley attempt.
- ABC News, 11 November 2013: reporting on the Queensland site investigation and US invitation.
- Aussie Invader project website, accessed 8 October 2026: the project’s own current description of testing and its work with Snowdon Consulting Ltd.
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