As everyone knows, Land Sped Racing and John ACKERS Ackroyd go hand in hand. 

March 1994 in the wilderness of South Australia John sat patiently, foolscap pad and pencil in hand in the back of the start ute, waiting for Rosco McGlashan and Aussie Invader II to leave the line. Afterburner on and AI-II streaked down the line some 12 kilometres from the line and the crackle of the headsets advises times and speeds as the car raced through the timing traps. 

Some six or seven minutes later the start ute arrived at the now stopped race car. John jumped out of the back with a page full of calculus, no slide rule or calculator and proudly tells Rosco that had he started some 1 KM further back he would have exceeded the then current World Land Speed Record, by a long shot. Sadly a high speed return run was not viable due to water over the track at the other end.

This was when the Aussie Invader crew knew that they were in the presence of a legend. What a brilliant mind. So sadly missed over the last few years as he was now unable to return Australia and enjoy the company of those with whom he had become great mates. RIP "ACKERS"