User:Thatwhoiswise/Robbie Dickson

Robbie Dickson is a British-Canadian entrepreneur, and engineer who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the founder and co-founder of Firgelli Technologies, Firgelli Automations, and Attivo Designs. He is also the founder and operator of the Canadian Bullrun Rally.

Early life and education
Dickson was born in the United Kingdom and became interested in automotive engineering at the age of 11. Dickson often split his time between driving and flying as a young man, which led him to seek degrees in both automotive engineering and aviation engineering from the University of Wales. During this time, his intrest in supercars also grew. He traded Jaguars, MGs, Alfa Romeos, Mercedez Benzes and more every few months for the experience of driving them. His first job was as an engineer at a Rolls-Royce aircraft engine facility in Derby, England. In 2000, he was recruited by Vancouver-based Westport Innovations at which point he relocated to Canada.

Entrepreneurial Career
Prior to working at Westport Innovations, Dickson had worked for companies like BMW, Isuzu, and Ford as an engineer. In 2002, he teamed up with colleague Mike Bakker to found Firgelli Technologies, which specializes in the creation of miniature linear actuators and linear servos. He decided to develop this technology while attempting to beat a personal speed record he’d set for himself with his Lamborghini Aventador, where he’d travelled 326 km/h (202.5 mph). During the run, Dickson had difficulty braking fast enough and spun his car, causing moderate damage in the process. After some thought, he realized an airbrake was the solution. He used his engineering talents to create airbrakes for supercars under the name “Firgelli Automations”, a a combination of Ferrari and Lamborghini, two automobile manufacturers that Dickson admires.

Dickson is also the co-founder, CEO, and principal inventor for Attivo Design, which also specializes in air brakes for supercars.

Dickson's love of supercars has led him to create a number of races that send drivers throughout Canadian countryside for the sheer joy of driving. For instance, he is one of the founding partners of Area 27, a members-only Formula 1 racetrack and resort in the Okanagan designed by Jacques Villeneuve. He is also the co-founder of Canadian Bullrun Rally, which is a 7-day tour of the Rocky Mountains for luxury car owners that included stays in 5-star hotels. He co-founded the annual Diamond Rally, an invite-only rally of 100 supercars that runs from Vancouver to Whistler and the Okanagan via the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which allowed drivers to raise money for their favorite charities.[ Dickson is involved in numerous luxury business ventures, as well. He is a partner in De Beers Diamond Canada where he helped spearhead the opening of De Beers' first jewellery store in Canada. He is also the founder and owner of the Veldini Watch company, which creates James Bond inspired “spy” watches   Dickson is an angel investor, who believes in a clean-tech future and has provided financial backing and guidance for startup companies within that market.

Personal Life
Dickson is an avid car collector, having 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 $100,000 garage renovation complete with 120 spotlights, a full-size bar, and a lifelike fiberglass model of Michael Schumacher's F1 Ferrari