Robert Charles “Bob” Tullius, a pioneering American racing driver and influential team owner widely hailed as a legend, passed away on March 16, 2026, at the age of 95 in Port Orange, Florida. IMSA President John Doonan paid tribute to Tullius, calling him 'one of the true originals in American sports car racing,' a 'visionary competitor, a gifted team leader, and a gentleman whose presence elevated every paddock he entered.' Doonan also shared a personal connection, noting Tullius was a 'lifelong hero' and a friend of his grandfather. 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.

Before his illustrious racing career, Tullius served a term in the U.S. Air Force, where a leg injury ended his football playing days. He then took a sales job at Kodak, first in Rochester, New York, and later in Alexandria, Virginia. His journey into racing began in 1961, almost by chance, when he took his wife’s Triumph TR3 to driving school, winning his first race and securing a points championship in his inaugural year. This early success led to a pivotal moment in 1963 when his supervisor at Kodak forced him to choose between his business career and racing; Tullius opted to dedicate himself fully to motorsports.

In 1965, Tullius co-founded Group 44 Inc. in Falls Church, Virginia, with mechanic Brian Fuerstenau and advertising executive Dick Gilmartin. This organization would become synonymous with immaculate preparation and consistent victories, bringing 'unprecedented levels of preparation and presentation' to the sport. Group 44’s distinctive green and white livery became a familiar sight in victory circles, and Tullius pioneered the use of professional public relations and marketing in racing, fostering deep ties with brands like Quaker State, Jaguar, Triumph, MG, and Audi.

Throughout his career, Tullius achieved over 300 victories and Group 44 secured 14 SCCA National Championships, along with three Trans-Am titles. He quickly made history, with Tullius himself winning the Over 2.0-liter class and finishing second overall in the first-ever Trans-Am race at Sebring in 1966, driving a factory-backed Dodge Dart. Beyond British sports cars, his versatility as a driver saw him race a Javelin in the NASCAR Grand American series, turbine-powered Howmet Turbine cars at Le Mans, a NART Ferrari 512 BB at Daytona, and the 'Gray Ghost' Pontiac Tempest in Trans-Am competition.

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, securing a GTP class victory in 1985 with the innovative Jaguar XJR-5. 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. He is widely recognized as the 'architect of modern professional sports car racing in America,' transforming the sport from a 'rich man's hobby' into a sophisticated, brand-driven business. His contributions to motorsports have been widely recognized through numerous inductions into prestigious institutions.

His extensive list of honors includes induction into 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, the Trans-Am Series Hall of Fame in 2025, and the IMSA Hall of Fame in 2025. These accolades underscore his profound and lasting impact on the sport he loved.

Away from the circuit, Tullius was an avid aviator, flying a vintage P-51D Mustang and supporting the EAA Young Eagles program. He later donated his P-51D Mustang to the Royal Air Force Museum in London in 2003 in memory of fallen WWII pilots. He was also a lifetime lover of animals, particularly cats, fostering over 20 throughout his life.

Bob Tullius is survived by his daughter, daughter-in-law, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Russel, in 2021. Tributes from the motorsports world unanimously hailed Tullius as a 'legend,' and the Jaguar Enthusiast Magazine plans to dedicate its May edition to his memory. His family suggests donations to the Humane Society in his name. Bob Tullius will be remembered not only for his victories but also for his unwavering dedication to the sport and his pioneering spirit.