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DRAGON HEADQUARTERS It might sound like a stage from Game of Thrones but the reality is much more down to earth and, back in 2012, when Dragon Racing was first let loose on an unsuspecting public, the company had one express purpose: to facilitate racing in the safest, most professional way possible. From the word go, the company’s mantra has been all about applying the highest standards, as Dragon’s General Manager, Jake Carlin, explains. “We owe to our clients a duty of care,” he smiles. “We’ve done our job right if a driver is able to safely return to their family, with a smile on their face and a promise they’ll be coming back. Nothing can be left to chance in motorsport, which is why we now have all bases covered. You can go from absolute novice beginner to seasoned professional with us, with our comprehensive training programmes and racing licence process – everything is here under one roof.” Well, not quite “one roof” because Dragon Racing’s expansion over the years has meant the necessity to obtain additional premises and, what now resembles a small business park at Dubai Autodrome, is home to numerous buildings occupied by the company. Carlin has been Leon Price’s ‘right-hand man’ since the very beginning so if anyone’s well placed to give us a guided tour around Dragon Racing HQ, it’s him. This isn’t some rough and ready makeshift joint with oily fingerprints on the walls. No, it’s more like a luxury car dealership, containing every possible creature comfort and luxury. As you walk in through the main entrance, the first thing you see is a brace of exotic race cars, behind which is a coffee bar that wouldn’t look out of place in a boutique five-star hotel lobby. It seems to be Carlin’s ‘happy place’ as he prepares whatever concoction you desire in a cloud of steam and loud hisses and burbles. We’ll take a double-shot cappuccino, please. Suitably caffeinated, we’re guided past luxurious, bespoke furniture that was custom made in South Africa and Europe, and display cabinets full of intricate scale models and trophies, to a room that Carlin is particularly keen to showcase. Inside is an Aladdin’s Cave of sorts, teeming with Dragon Racing branded merchandise including clothing, from t-shirts and caps to full-face helmets, race suits, scale model cars, books, artwork – practically anything you could think of as a gift to yourself or someone special who’s passionate about motorsport. We’d better leave before our credit card takes a hammering – this selection of merchandise is seriously tempting. Carlin says that the opening of the new facilities here, in September 2017, represented the start of a new chapter for Dragon Racing. “As our reputation for being the best grew,” he says, “our clients started to ask us for extra services and products, and the business began to expand, quite organically. But to meet this growing demand we needed to be based somewhere much more suitable and here we are.” We walk back through the reception area, past an incredible collection of handmade scale model cars representing many of the Dragon racers that have won various championships, as well as classics owned by Price over the years. Jensen Interceptors and various Jaguars share shelf space with a BMW M635, which he says was probably the best car he ever owned. “They all represent various stages in my life,” Price sighs affectionately. Beyond the reception area are various conference rooms, their walls lined with a truly enormous library of books, mostly Ferrari-related, and incredible framed artwork forming an unrivalled gallery documenting the history of motorsport, particularly the world-famous Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. It’s utterly mesmerising and obviously a labour of love for Price. “We have created spaces for our clients to work from, to hold meetings and to entertain in,” explains Carlin, “and it’s a great place for families to chill out during races or track days.” The ambience everywhere is one of hushed luxury, completely at odds with the often manic, adrenaline-soaked activities on track just a short walk away. Elsewhere there are driver changing areas with showers and other amenities, there’s a small room dedicated to high tech racing simulators and then there’s the ‘Dragon’s Lair’ – the nerve centre of operations where Price, Carlin and CEO, Brad Fincham, have their offices. Beyond this hive of activity is a sprawling storage area full of owners’ race cars, roadgoing supercars, hypercars and classic cars, all perfectly protected in ideal conditions. There’s a machine shop, where 200 | Simply Abu Dhabi