Cam McConville

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Retired motorsport enthusiast Ross Almond is widely known for his passion for high performance.

Just like Riviera, the R Marine South Australia director likes things done one way: the right way.

So you can imagine his delight when former V8 Supercar driver Cameron McConville crossed the finish line in third place at the recent Australian Porsche Carrera Cup Championship in Melbourne with one of his two Porsche 991 GT3s.

However, as the race was being televised as part of the Australian Formula 1, you can imagine Ross’s additional delight when the Riviera emblem which graces the top of this vehicle was broadcast into living rooms worldwide.

Ross’s passion for motorsport dates back many years – having worked three jobs to buy his first car – and in 1991 he started competing in rally championships before moving into circuit racing in 1997. He now owns a collection of high-performance cars.

Michael Almond has his Dad’s passion for high performance.

And the passion for fast and luxury cars runs in the blood with son Michael “Magic” Almond now racing for the Copyworld team in the eight-round 2014 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship that began with the Clipsal 500 event in Adelaide, and in the Australian V8 Ute Racing series.

Michael, who describes Ross as his inspiration has a free run of his father’s collection and will also ‘have a bit of a play’ in a new Holden race ute they just bought.

Ross, meantime, points out that he has always loved boats and motorsport.

“I am fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy the top echelon of motorsport as well as the finest in luxury boating with the Porsche and Riviera brands, which have a great synergy on the track because they attract the like-minded people,” he said.

“When I am racing, I feel like I am living on the edge where as Riviera is all about relaxing and enjoying your social life and I find the two complement each other – one is a high level competitive sport while the other is all about recharging the batteries in luxury.

“The high-level of precision and performance with Porsche on the track parallels with the high level of quality, precision and performance of a Riviera on the water – and that is what I call living the dream.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Porsche.

“It’s great to have companies like Riviera – a fellow premium, leading brand in its field – as part of the championship supporting one of our front-running Porsche Carrera Cup teams, said Media & Commercial and Motorsport Manager for Porsche, Dan Jordan.

“Michael has developed greatly as a driver over the past two seasons to eventually score his breakthrough Carrera Cup podium at the iconic Bathurst circuit last year.

“Cam McConville also scored his maiden podium recently at Albert Park Formula 1 round in March in his second-ever Carrera Cup start. This team has shown strong form and is expected to impress as the 2015 season progresses.”