SimplyAbuDhabi XV

Driving the Dragon The race team was recruited from Europe and the UAE for both their expertise in their specialist area of motorsport, and for their drive to make Dragon Racing’s track experience the best in the world. From the drivers to the technicians and hospitality crew, Dragon Racing provides an exceptional bespoke service that extends way beyond the thrill of being behind the wheel. Leon Price’s friend and regular racing partner, Rob Barff, is Dragon Racing’s Director of Coaching. A British professional racing driver with a 27-year career in international GT racing, Barff has raced in more than 400 races around the world, achieving notable success with pole positions, fastest laps and race wins throughout his career. He is also one of the world’s leading driver coaches and the holder of an MSA UK Instructor super licence. An expert at vehicle data interpretation, Barff works globally on dynamic development programmes for both road and race cars, and also participates in the televisedNissan-PlayStation GT Academy as ‘Head of Driving’ and co-presenter alongside Johnny Herbert. “At Dragon Racing, our job is to guide any driver, no matter their ability or experience, to find their limit…. And then drive right through it. By the end of a Dragon Racing day, our clients leave with a newfound confidence and competence, whether they are F1 drivers or first time newbies to the track. That’s satisfying for us all,” says Barff. Rounding out the leadership, Dragon Racing’s Director of Engineering, Ian Bickerton, brings more than 35 years of motorsports race engineering and technical expertise to the Dragon Racing team. A key member of many successful, international teams over the years competing in such races as the European and American Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hours, Bickerton enjoys exceptional breadth of experience with a wide range of GT1, GT3 and T1 racing cars including Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lancia, Maserati, GM/Vauxhall, Spice and Jaguar. “Dragon Racing is a well-oiled machine and that includes our stable of cars. From the first roar when the engines start to the final lap time at the end of the day, our job is to keep the wheels turning and the horses powering. There is nothing more exciting or rewarding,” says Bickerton. 6 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Ian Bickerton Rob Barff