Bore & Stoke Breakout: Bivouacs and Burros

What does a two-time Dakar Rally champion do when he isn't navigating the remote sand dunes of Saudi Arabia? If you are Ricky Brabec, as he explained to us in episode 26 of the Bore & Stoke Podcast, you construct a luxury powersports event center on the banks of the Colorado River, fill it with rescued donkeys, and bring the authentic Dakar "bivouac experience" directly to North American premium brands.

Located on a prime piece of riverfront property, Brabec and his partner, professional driver Sara Price, have established the Rip & Dip Ranch. Currently operating out of a fully customized, high-end workshop featuring integrated living quarters while their primary home is under construction, the duo is rapidly transforming the property into a highly sought-after media and testing hub for the powersports industry.

Hosting the Industry Elite

The Rip & Dip Ranch offers commercial clients a turnkey package for vehicle launches, testing, and media production. Rather than simply renting land, Brabec and Price curate a comprehensive operational pipeline:

• Route Design & Verification: Leveraging their elite racing experience, they design, test, and map custom off-road loops tailored specifically to the machinery being evaluated.
• Turnkey Logistics: Packages feature specialized support staff, including dedicated on-trail medical personnel and custom lunch distribution out in the field.
• The Bivouac Experience: Guests reside in premium luxury tents designed to mimic the high-end field accommodations of factory rally teams.

The concept has already attracted major industry players, with heavy-hitting brands like BFGoodrich and Defender hosting corporate events at the compound.

A Sanctuary for Rescues

Despite the high-octane focus of the business, the ranch operates at a completely different pace when the corporate clients head home. The property serves as a permanent sanctuary for rescued donkeys, all brought in from difficult working conditions.

Among the residents are Winston, a young troublemaker who keeps the property active, and Atticus, an older donkey rescued from a training ring who now spends his days peacefully roaming the beachfront alongside the family dogs.

As the project expands, Brabec aims to position the ranch as a launch point for long-distance adventure tours, potentially linking up with manufacturing partners to run premium guided expeditions deep into neighboring landscapes like Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

Check out the full Bore & Stoke episode with Ricky Brabec here to listen to the full interview.

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