Robert Charles “Bob” Tullius, a pioneering American racing driver and influential team owner, passed away on March 16, 2026, at the age of 95 in Port Orange, Florida. Born on December 7, 1930, in Rochester, New York, Tullius left an indelible mark on motorsports, particularly through his formidable Group 44 Inc. racing team and his enduring association with British sports cars. His career, spanning over three decades, was characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a keen understanding of both driving and team management.

Tullius’s journey into racing began in 1961, almost by chance, when he took his wife’s Triumph TR3 to driving school. He quickly demonstrated a natural talent, winning his first race and subsequently securing a points championship in his inaugural year. This early success propelled him to leave his sales job at Kodak and dedicate himself fully to the burgeoning world of professional motorsports.

In 1965, Tullius founded Group 44 Inc. in Falls Church, Virginia, an organization that would become synonymous with immaculate preparation and consistent victories. The team quickly made history, with Tullius himself winning the first-ever Trans-Am race at Sebring in 1966, driving a factory-backed Dodge Dart. Group 44’s distinctive green and white livery became a familiar sight in victory circles across various racing series, including SCCA Club Racing, Trans-Am, and IMSA GTP.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Tullius achieved significant success, particularly with Jaguar. He clinched the SCCA B Production Championship in 1975 with a Jaguar V12 XKE. His prowess continued in the Trans-Am Series, where he secured back-to-back Drivers Championships in 1977 and 1978 in a Jaguar XJS, also earning Jaguar its first-ever manufacturer’s championship in 1978.

A crowning achievement of his career was leading Jaguar’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after a 27-year hiatus. In 1985, driving the innovative Jaguar XJR-5, Tullius and his co-drivers secured a class victory, further cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in sports car racing. He retired from active driving in 1986, concluding his remarkable career with a victory at the Daytona three-hour race in a Jaguar XJR-7.

Beyond his driving accomplishments, Tullius was a visionary in team management and sponsorship, setting a template for professionalism that influenced generations of racers and teams. His contributions to motorsports have been widely recognized through numerous inductions into prestigious institutions, including the Sebring Hall of Fame in 2014, the SCCA Hall of Fame in 2015, the British Sports Car Hall of Fame in 2017, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2018, and the Trans-Am Series Hall of Fame in 2025. Bob Tullius will be remembered not only for his victories but also for his unwavering dedication to the sport and his pioneering spirit.