Dickinson leaves ALMS to join TRG
“This is an exciting time for us and adding Bob to the team only drives it further forward," stated CEO, Kevin Buckler. “Bob and I have been friends for a long time and I have respected what he has accomplished and especially his work ethic. We just came out of several years of a tough economy and we really put our heads down and prepared for this growth phase. We are back in a big way and running in 4 different series and always looking for good people and opportunities. His skills and diverse motorsports background as well as his understanding of our boutique winery operation are perfect for where we are headed and I am really proud to have him on board."
Dickinson comes to TRG from the American Le Mans Series where he was Vice President of Media & Communications. In that position, he oversaw and directed media relations, digital and social media strategies, special events, government relations and the ALMS’ environmental program as the Series became recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing.
Dickinson’s career spans more than 30 years in the sports and entertainment industry. He has held executive positions at Turner Sports, the NFL (Atlanta Falcons), and several college athletics departments. He also started and operated his own company, Dickinson Sports & Entertainment Group, before merging it with a Nashville-based telco group where he became executive vice president, negotiating all network carriage agreements while overseeing corporate marketing as well.
At Turner Broadcasting, Dickinson initially headed worldwide public relations efforts for the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, WA before becoming Director of Sports Program Acquisitions. In that capacity, Dickinson’s responsibilities included much of the network’s Olympic sports programming, golf, college football and its motorsports properties. He played a major role in establishing NASCAR as one of Turner’s most profitable sports properties.
TRG is a full-service motorsports company with facilities in Petaluma, CA and Mooresville, NC that offers a total driver ladder approach, as well as comprehensive sponsorship and business opportunities from executive events, to traditional sponsorship models, all the way to comprehensive business-to-business opportunities and experiential marketing.
The Racers Group was founded in 1993 and has been competing at the top level of motor racing. The team boasts Rolex Series GT championships in 2005 and 2006 and holds the record for the most wins in Grand-Am with 32. The team’s resume is highlighted by five championships, four Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona victories, and a class win at the world’s most famous auto race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2002).
Adobe Road Winery is located in Petaluma, CA and features handcrafted wines that showcase some of the top appellations in the Sonoma and Napa Valley. Adobe Road wines are produced in small lots with uncompromising control by a world-class, award-winning wine making team. It is best known for its elite Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley, rich Syrahs and Sauvignon Blancs from Dry Creek, ethereal Pinot Noirs and lavishly flavored Chardonnays from Petaluma Gap and the Russian River Valley.
The winery features a state of the art wine-making facility located next to the race shop, which provides a unique setting for corporate events and its Inside Track Wine Club member parties as it sits among many of the cars, trophies, photos and posters from Buckler’s career and TRG’s successes. The Adobe Road tasting room is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley on the historic Sonoma Plaza in downtown Sonoma.