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Robbie Dickson

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Robbie Dickson
EducationAutomotive and aviation degrees
Alma materUniversity of Wales
Occupation(s)Engineer, inventor, angel investor, entrepreneur
Known forFounder of Firgelli Technologies, Firgelli Automations, and the Canadian Bullrun Rally

Robbie Dickson is a British-Canadian engineer and entrepreneur who worked with racing legends Bill Dorosso and Jacques Villeneuve to invigorate the Canadian racing industry through the creation of Area-27, an F1 racetrack and Canadian Bullrun Rally.[1]

Early life and education

Dickson was born in the United Kingdom. As a child he was taken to see the film Cannonball Run, and immediately became fascinated with super cars.[2][3] He went on to pursue his passion and eventually graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Wales.[4]

Career

Upon graduating he worked in various engineering positions for automotive companies including BMW, Isuzu and Ford, eventually being recruited to work as an engine designer by Westport Innovations in Vancouver.[5]

Dickson became known for pushing the limits by constantly trying to break speed limits he set for himself. In early 2000 he competed in the Race the Base Event in Cold Lake Alberta. There he went 326 km/h (202.5 mph) in his Lamborghini Aventador. This led to nearly avoiding a crash as his car spun out of control. At this point Dickson realized he needed a more efficient braking system than the hydraulic brakes that came standard in most super-cars. Being an engineer by trade he started to examine the braking systems of other fast moving vehicles such as trucks and trains. These vehicles relied on an air brake system that was more efficient for it did not require fluid to be retained and allowed the storage of potential energy. He utilized the design as an auxiliary brake to be applied when speeds greater than 100 km/h are reached.[5]

Firgelli Automations

Seeing a potential to fulfill an industry demand for enhanced safety, Dickson founded the company Attivo Design in order to market his auxiliary air brake.[5] The technology used for Attivo was from his other company He Founded in 2004 and is the sole owner and shareholder of. Based around technology he invented, Firgelli Automations manufactures Home Automations and media hardware.[6]

Area 27 and Cannonball Run

Dickson's love of the film Cannonball Run inspired him to team up with Bill Dorosso and the Canadian F1 legend Jacques Villeneuve to create Canada's first and only full sized racetrack, Area-27. The track derived its name from Jacques' racing number.[1][7][8]

Dickson's group negotiated with the Osoyoos Indian Band for a lease on the land the 4.9 km track would be built on. GPS guided earth movers traced the layout of the track, and 12,139 feet of concrete was used on the track and its barriers. A special blend of asphalt was made to withstand the heat of the region.

Dickson invested in the track to inspire like-minded drivers to race their track cars. The heightened popularity of the track allowed it to evolve from a simple race track to a full sized racing community that even featured a racing school, Academy-27, with such notable instructors as Canadian Motorsport Hall of Famer Richard Spenard.[9][10]

Dickson also created a number of races that send drivers throughout Canadian countryside for the sheer joy of driving, including co-founding the Canadian Bullrun Rally, a seven-day tour of the Rocky Mountains for luxury car owners. He also co-founded the annual Diamond Rally, an invite-only charity rally of 200 supercars, the largest Supercar rally in North America, sponsored by Hublot Vancouver one of Dickson's other ventures. The rally raises money for dozens of charities and runs from Vancouver to Whistler and the Okanagan via the Sea-to-Sky Highway.[7][8]

Venture capitalist

Dickson has provided the guidance and financial backing for numerous businesses, including helping De Beers Diamond expand into Canada through the opening of their first jewelry store.[11] He is an angel investor, who believes in a clean-tech future and only works with companies that are environmentally friendly and believe in a zero-emission future. He has backed Etalim, Inc and other companies that create technology Dickson believes will have a practical application in the future.

Personal life

Dickson is an avid car collector, and has owned hundreds of automobiles in his lifetime. The first brand new car he ever purchased was a custom Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. In 2011, The Vancouver Sun profiled Dickson and his $1,000,000 garage renovation complete with 120 spotlights, a full-size bar, and a lifelike fiberglass model of Michael Schumacher's F1 Ferrari.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ a b Ecksel, William. "What This Entrepreneur Can Show You About Following Your Dreams". Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  2. ^ "Lamborghini Bolletino". Bollettino Online. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  3. ^ "Project Gallardo "Ultimo" for Attivo Designs". MWdesign Technik. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  4. ^ "Jet- setting B. C. Lions Waterboys check out a winged Mustang". Vancouver Sun.
  5. ^ a b c McCredie, Andrew. "Spoiler Alert Crescent Beach Man Invents Air Break for Super Car". The Province.
  6. ^ michaellebradford (2014-04-30). "Automated TV Lift Hardware a Hit with Homeowners". Woodworking Network. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  7. ^ a b Gray, Sherry (2016-02-15). "Lessons From a Serial Entrepreneur". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  8. ^ a b "Diamond Rally is a car cruise with a cause". Driving. 2014-06-30. Retrieved 2017-05-12.
  9. ^ "The Economics of Building a Racetrack | AUTOCRUST : Auto News, Car Reviews, Auto Accessories". www.autocrust.com. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  10. ^ "Area27: Canada's First F-1 Race Track - The Front Wing". The Front Wing. 2017-04-17. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  11. ^ Cheung, Justin (2013-11-26). "First Blu Glauco Lamborghini Aventador Roadster + ADV.1 by Marcel Lech Photography". GTspirit. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  12. ^ "Area 27 racetrack member Robbie Dickson is fond enough of hot cars to hang them". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
  13. ^ "Garage Makeover Pays Homage to the Automobile". Vancouver Sun. 2011-06-24.
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