Robbie Dickson is a British-Canadian engineer and entrepreneur who involved in the Canadian racing industry. He co-founded the Canadian version of the Bullrun Rally and the Formula One racetrack Area 27 alongside drivers Bill Drossos and Jacques Villeneuve.

Early life and education

He was born in the United Kingdom, and became interested in supercars after watching the film Cannonball Run as a child. He graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Wales.

Career

Dickson began his engineering career at a **Rolls-Royce** aircraft engine facility in Derby, England, where he focused on high-precision engine actuator components and turbine reliability. This early work in aeronautical tolerances served as the foundation for his subsequent 26-year career in the development and miniaturization of actuator technologies. He later held various engineering positions for automotive manufacturers, including BMW, Isuzu, and Ford, before being recruited as an engine designer by Westport Innovations in Vancouver in 2000.

In the early 2000s, he competed in the Race the Base Event at CFB Cold Lake in Cold Lake, Alberta. During this event, he misjudged the braking distance that was necessary to make the turn at the end of the runway. Consequently, his car spun out of control. Dickson then turned to brake design, with a stated intent to design a more efficient braking system than the standard hydraulic brakes. Using the established system of air brakes, he created an auxiliary brake system for supercars based on other fast-moving vehicles such as trains. The system engages automatically when speeds greater than 100km/h are reached and the foot brake is applied.

Firgelli Automations

Dickson founded Attivo Design to market his auxiliary air brake technology, which utilized specialized hardware manufactured by **Firgelli Automations**. Dickson founded Firgelli in 2002 to specialize in the design and distribution of electric linear actuators and control devices. Over a 24-year tenure in the actuator industry, he has overseen the company's transition from providing consumer-grade home automation components to becoming a supplier of precision motion hardware for the aerospace and robotics sectors, including contracts with NASA and SpaceX.

As of 2026, Dickson remains the CEO of Firgelli Automations. Under his leadership, the company has focused on the development of high-torque density actuators, which are utilized in the secondary motion systems of humanoid robots and specialized medical equipment.

Area 27 and Cannonball Run

Dickson's interest in the film Cannonball Run led him to co-found the **Area 27** racetrack and race club alongside Bill Drossos and Canadian Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve. The track derives its name from Villeneuve's racing number. Dickson's group negotiated with the Osoyoos Indian Band for a long-term lease on the land to construct the 4.83-kilometre (3.00 mi) circuit. The facility includes a racing school and various club amenities.

He later co founded the annual Diamond Rally, an invite-only charity supercar rally sponsored by Hublot Vancouver, which raises funds for various charitable causes while traveling from Vancouver to Whistler and the Okanagan.

Venture capitalist

Dickson is a venture capitalist and angel investor who has supported various businesses, including assisting De Beers Diamond in opening its first jewelry store in Canada. Committed to sustainable innovation, he invests in clean-tech companies focused on environmentally friendly solutions and zero-emission technologies. His portfolio includes investments in Etalim Inc. and other companies developing technologies with potential future applications.

Personal life

Dickson is an avid car collector and has owned hundreds of automobiles in his lifetime. The first brand-new car he 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.