02/12/2025
What an adventure. 🤜🤛
Earlier this year, we were approached by Lovells Automotive Systems after a recommendation from German Technik to be apart of their Alpine Rally program, pairing Matt Dillon alongside Lovells brand ambassador and legend Brent ”Boomer” Harvey for his very first rally.
Working with familiar rally family at German Technik Motorsport and RallySchool Australia, this wasn’t just a drive in the forest… this was the Alpine Rally of East Gippsland, a bucket-list event that many spend their whole careers preparing for. Boomer had just hours behind the wheel. The task was mammoth.
Matt was in the co-driver seat, switching constantly between navigator, coach, and motivator.
Molly led the film logistics, making sure the media crew were always in the right place at the right time to capture the story.
Also along for the ride, was a world-class film crew to produce Episode 2 of Lovells Full Travel adventure series. So on top of route charts and driver coaching, we were navigating a cinematic operation through the bush to capture the story as it unfolded. Huge props to Shawn, Jason & Sal from InFocus, they called this “one of the most epic things they’ve ever covered.”
Then Mother Nature tested us all. ☔️
After a dry and sunny Friday afternoon, the heavens opened… and never stopped. Some called it the toughest Alpine conditions in decades. Everything Boomer learned in testing had to be thrown out the window overnight. Saturday became a game of risk management and survival.
But he never quit.
When he lost control on SS11 and we were heading straight for a tree, his athletic instincts kicked in, and he saved it like he’d been doing this for years.
Come Sunday afternoon, with a faultless run from the German Technik crew, the Lovells TA22 Celica crossed the final control 57th out of 88 starters, a hugely respectable result for a debutant in one of the Australia’s most challenging rallies. Even better? He brought the Celica home without a scratch, rewarding 18 months of hard work from Tim Clark and his team. 👌
The rally community embraced Boomer with open arms, kids kicking the footy in service park, crews lining up to shake his hand at the finish. He reflected afterward:
“That is by far the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done… and I’m stoked we survived it.”
We couldn’t be prouder.
Massive thanks to the Lovells travelling crew Dan & Zach, Dan especially, the backbone of this program for two years. The entire crew owes you more than a couple beverages. 🍻
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A Word on Lovells
Lovells aren’t just premium suspension and accessories, they are true Australian manufacturers, proudly engineering and building here at home for 95 years. That longevity and loyalty to Australia is the heart of their DNA.
It’s why AFL games-record holder Brent “Boomer” Harvey is the perfect ambassador.
Two icons with unmatched endurance. Pushing limits, reinventing themselves, and proving that experience fuels adventure.
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This project also reinforced what Spalding Dillon Australia has become, and where we’re heading next:
A professional outfit built entirely on passion
A two-person leadership team, supporting drivers and story-driven programs at the top level.
Delivering rally operations, logistics, coaching & media coordination.
SDA isn’t just a rally car on stage.
It’s a capable, adaptable motorsport organisation built by two people who live and breathe this sport.
🎬 Full Travel Episode 2 is coming soon… and trust us — it’s wild.
📸 Sal Aloisio - salaloisio.com.au
