Story: Grant Stephens
At 69 years of age, Mark Rossow has been drag racing for more than five decades, but the desire to win has clearly not diminished.
The South Queensland racer is currently leading the NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series championship in Super Street and, with a national title firmly in his sights, has already shown he is prepared to go the extra mile — quite literally, to chase championship glory.
That commitment was put to the test recently when the opportunity came to chase valuable points at Alice Springs’ Desery Nationals double-header. there was only one answer.
“Bring on Alice Springs,” Rossow told himself.
“It’ll be fun they said.”
Loading up his 1971 Camaro Rossow embarked on his latest NDRC championship campaign.
Six thousand kilometres and $3334 later, Rossow reckons the trip was worth every kilometre.
“It was an unbelievable trip,” he said.
“It’s far safer on the drag strip than on our National Highways. I had trucks, cars, cows, kangaroos try to take me out and even a pedestrian on the way home.”
For Rossow, however, the enormous journey was simply part of the commitment required to chase the championship he desperately wants to add to his collection of achievements.
His love affair with drag racing began back in 1973 when, aged just 17, he started competing in an EH Holden at street meets.
Three years later he purchased The Judge, a six-cylinder Altered from Scott Hunting, before eventually selling it to Dave and Rob Tucker. Bill Jones then built Rossow a new Altered, which he raced for many years with Crown Forklift sponsorship, and picked up the nickname ‘Maroso’ given to him by drag racing pioneer Kevin Groth.
Rossow eventually stepped away from drag racing and turned his attention to International Heavy karts, but the lure of the drag strip eventually proved too strong.
The return came after a 2010 trip to the USA with his now-wife Jessie to watch the NHRA Western Swing. While there, Rossow purchased two 1971 Camaros.
“When I returned I decided to take this one to a Test ‘n’ Tune and have been racing it ever since,” he explained.
The Camaro has remained relatively simple, built around an almost-stock 502 cubic-inch crate engine, a Bob Grant-built Turbo 400 transmission and a 10-bolt rear end running 3.70:1 gears.
It might not be the most complicated combination in the pits, but Rossow has proven that a well-driven, reliable package can still be a serious championship contender, with Rossow proud he remains undefeated in two trips to Dragway At The Bend in NDRC sportsman competition.
His biggest career achievements, however, came much earlier, when he claimed back-to-back South Queensland Championships in 1980 and 1981 – the first before bracket racing began and the second after its introduction.
Now, more than four decades later, Rossow is chasing another championship.
Rossow’s 2026 campaign has already delivered its share of frustration.
He was due to race championship contender Sammy-Jo Johnson in the quarter-finals at the opening event in Mildura before rain brought the meeting to an end. He missed the second event, before bouncing back with victory at Dragway At The Bend’s Riverbend Nationals.
Then, by his own admission, things haven’t gone quite as planned.
“I’ve disappointed myself ever since,” he said.
So what does a racer do when things aren’t going to plan?
Drive 3000 kilometres each way to Alice Springs, apparently.
Now back home, Rossow is preparing for the Pro Stock Nationals at his home track, Willowbank Raceway, knowing that strong points will be critical to maintaining his championship charge.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the Pro Stock Nationals — home track — and I need to cement some good points.”
Rossow will contest three of the four remaining NDRC events, with Willowbank, Sydney Dragway and The Bend all on his schedule.
The VMP Sportsman Southern Slam round, however, won’t be happening due to a clash with other racing commitments.
There is plenty of inspiration behind Rossow’s continued pursuit of success.
He points to Australian drag racing legend Gary Phillips, American icon John Force and veteran racer Chris Karamesines as examples of racers who have continued competing at an age when most have long since hung up their helmet.
“I saw John Force’s first pass in Nitro Funny Car at SPIR in 1974,” Rossow recalled.
“The list goes on.”
And the advice he received from Phillips sums up Rossow’s approach perfectly.
“Live the dream mate, kick ass.”
Rossow is certainly living the dream.
After starting his racing journey in an EH Holden at 17, he’s now 69, turning 70 in December, and still prepared to cross the country in pursuit of another Christmas Tree.
“I’ve an ardent desire to win a National Championship,” he said.
“Love to add to my Tree collection.” With the NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series Super Street Championship lead now firmly in his possession, Mark Rossow has done the hard yards, now he just needs to bring it home.
