Desert trails and river vibes: Inside a custom off-road escape

Desert trails and river vibes: Inside a custom off-road escape

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Sara Price has transformed her passion for racing into a unique motorsports paradise. Located on the Colorado River in Mohave Valley, Arizona, Rip & Dip Ranch is a 10,500-square-foot workshop and private retreat that combines high-octane action with serene days on the river. As the first guests to visit, we experienced the magic firsthand. The day started with an ATV ride through rugged desert trails, followed by a dip in the river, dinner on the beach and an overnight stay in tents, all organized by Price himself.

This is not just a garage or a vacation spot. It is a symbol of Price’s relentless drive, a place where she shares the rewards of her years of struggle in the competitive world of professional racing. As a professional racer who has conquered high-stakes off-road courses and rallies, she understands the need for a rugged, reliable base camp, and now she invites fellow enthusiasts to share that vision.

From dream to desert reality

Nicole Wakelin/Top Speed

As a little girl, Price had big dreams. She made sketches of her ideal property as a place divided between an equine sanctuary and a motorsports centre. That vision laid the foundation for Rip & Dip Ranch, a dream she has now brought to life.

Building it was no easy feat. In 2021, Price and her boyfriend, fellow racer Ricky Brabec, purchased the four-acre property and dove into construction with no prior experience. It took four years to overcome permitting and planning challenges. They learned the hard way, but never backed down.

“We had no idea what we were doing when it came to building a property. We learned all the hard ways to get to this point.”

The result is a sprawling facility with a private beach and dock along the Colorado River, perfect for relaxing after intense desert treks. For a personal touch, Price’s grandparents live just downstream, and Brabec’s family lives upstream, making the ranch a family hub that feels like destiny.

A playground for racers and adventurers

Rip and dip equipment room Nicole Wakelin/Top Speed

Rip & Dip Ranch is a private retreat for racers, teams and partners in need of a rugged testing ground. The rugged desert terrain and extreme climate with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees make it ideal for pushing vehicles and drivers to their limits. Our ATV outing showed us exactly why teams are drawn here, tackling rocky trails that require precision and ruggedness.

The 10,500-square-foot workshop is a gearhead’s dream, packed with machines and tools for building and tuning. Yet it is more than just a workspace. “This is exclusive and private, but if partners, companies or racers want somewhere to call home, this is the place,” Price said. The riverfront adds a unique twist, offering a private beach where you can relax after a day of testing.

“The beach gives it a really cool feature because it’s very warm where we are, but it’s also a really good test of equipment.”

Our visit captured this balance perfectly. After running through the trails, we enjoyed a sunset dinner by the water before setting up our tents for the night. It’s a lifestyle that combines bursts of adrenaline with tranquility and makes the ranch a unique escape.

Grit forged in the heat of racing

Rip and dip can of Ams Nicole Wakelinn/TopSpeed

Price’s path to success reflects the challenges of building her dream escape. In a male-dominated sport, she faced great odds, honing her skills through countless hours of practice and perseverance. Every victory, from local races to international podiums, was achieved through sheer determination. Learning to turn setbacks into motivation for bigger goals was key.

It’s been a long journey to get here, and I’ve now achieved some success. It’s crazy because it’s been a lot of hard work. It was not given to me, it was not handed to me.”

That grit was the driving force behind the creation of Rip & Dip Ranch. It’s a place where Price not only lives her passion, but also fosters a community for those who share it. We eat, live, breathe this life. That’s what Rip & Dip stands for,” said Price. “This is a place I can now share with like-minded people as well as our partners, friends and racers from around the world.”

Bringing children’s fantasies to life

Rip and Dip Garage Nicole Wakelin/Top Speed

Price’s childhood dreams included more than just speed. She also always wanted horses on the property. While that part of the ranch isn’t complete yet, she’s taking a charming step by adding a few donkeys to the mix. “I just rescued three donkeys, and we’ll get them in a few weeks,” Price said.

Her advice for dreamers is simple but powerful: keep going. The road to success is long, with many lows before the highs, but perseverance pays off. “Sometimes it takes a lot longer for the happiness or positive aspects to manifest,” Price said. “As long as you don’t give up, I promise they will come back.”

Racing towards new horizons

Rip and dip equipment Nicole Wakelin/Top Speed

Price’s ambitions extend far beyond the ranch. She recently secured the role of factory driver at Jaguar Land Rover and will drive the Defender in the Dakar Rally, the pinnacle of off-road racing. She has already won stages and is now aiming for the overall title. “I’m going to do everything I can to make that happen,” Price said.

She is ready to take on the challenge of Dakar while continuing to build a legacy that inspires adventurers everywhere. Her ranch reminds us that passion and perseverance can create extraordinary spaces, whether you’re drawn to the thrill of off-road racing or the tranquility of a riverside retreat.

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