Remembering those we recently lost
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Key moments and achievements from Robert Tullius's life.
Robert was born
· Port Orange, Florida, U.S.
career
In 1961, Bob Tullius took his wife's Triumph TR3 to a driving school where he quickly demonstrated natural talent behind the wheel, winning his very first race. This spontaneous introduction to motorsport ignited a passion that would define his life. Two years later, when his supervisor at Kodak forced him to choose between his day job and racing, Tullius chose racing without hesitation.
career
In 1961, Bob Tullius took his wife's Triumph TR3 to a driving school where he quickly demonstrated natural talent behind the wheel, winning his very first race. This spontaneous introduction to motorsport ignited a passion that would define his life. Two years later, when his supervisor at Kodak forced him to choose between his day job and racing, Tullius chose racing without hesitation.
career
In 1965, Tullius established Group 44 Incorporated along with co-founders mechanic Brian Fuerstenau and advertising executive Dick Gilmartin. The team developed an innovative three-pronged business model: racing their own cars, building racing cars for paying customers, and running an extensive marketing and sponsorship department for vehicle manufacturers. This approach revolutionized how racing teams operated as businesses.
career
In 1965, Tullius established Group 44 Incorporated along with co-founders mechanic Brian Fuerstenau and advertising executive Dick Gilmartin. The team developed an innovative three-pronged business model: racing their own cars, building racing cars for paying customers, and running an extensive marketing and sponsorship department for vehicle manufacturers. This approach revolutionized how racing teams operated as businesses.
achievement
Tullius secured back-to-back SCCA Drivers Championships in 1977 and 1978, racing a Jaguar XJS. In 1978, he also earned Jaguar its first-ever manufacturer's championship, a historic achievement for the storied British brand in American motorsport. The partnership between Group 44 and Jaguar became one of the most successful manufacturer-team relationships in SCCA racing history.
achievement
Tullius secured back-to-back SCCA Drivers Championships in 1977 and 1978, racing a Jaguar XJS. In 1978, he also earned Jaguar its first-ever manufacturer's championship, a historic achievement for the storied British brand in American motorsport. The partnership between Group 44 and Jaguar became one of the most successful manufacturer-team relationships in SCCA racing history.
achievement
Beyond his driving accomplishments, Tullius was a visionary in team management and sponsorship who transformed how racing teams conducted business. Group 44's sophisticated approach to manufacturer partnerships and corporate sponsorship set the template that modern racing teams still follow today. His ability to combine elite driving talent with astute business management made him a uniquely influential figure in motorsport history.
achievement
Beyond his driving accomplishments, Tullius was a visionary in team management and sponsorship who transformed how racing teams conducted business. Group 44's sophisticated approach to manufacturer partnerships and corporate sponsorship set the template that modern racing teams still follow today. His ability to combine elite driving talent with astute business management made him a uniquely influential figure in motorsport history.
achievement
Under Tullius's leadership, Group 44 accumulated an extraordinary record of 14 national SCCA championships and three Trans Am titles, amassing more than 300 race victories overall. The team also achieved eleven victories in IMSA GTP championship races. This record of sustained excellence across multiple racing series established Group 44 as one of the most successful independent racing operations in American motorsport history.
achievement
Under Tullius's leadership, Group 44 accumulated an extraordinary record of 14 national SCCA championships and three Trans Am titles, amassing more than 300 race victories overall. The team also achieved eleven victories in IMSA GTP championship races. This record of sustained excellence across multiple racing series established Group 44 as one of the most successful independent racing operations in American motorsport history.
achievement
In 2014, Tullius was inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding achievements at one of America's most prestigious endurance racing venues. This was the first of a remarkable series of hall of fame inductions that would follow in quick succession, reflecting the motorsport community's growing recognition of his pioneering contributions to American road racing over a career spanning decades.
achievement
In 2014, Tullius was inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding achievements at one of America's most prestigious endurance racing venues. This was the first of a remarkable series of hall of fame inductions that would follow in quick succession, reflecting the motorsport community's growing recognition of his pioneering contributions to American road racing over a career spanning decades.
achievement
Tullius was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2018, joining the most elite company in American racing history. This followed earlier inductions into the SCCA Hall of Fame in 2015 and the British Sports Car Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2025, he received yet another honor with induction into the Trans-Am Series Hall of Fame, capping a legacy recognized across every major racing discipline.
achievement
Tullius was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2018, joining the most elite company in American racing history. This followed earlier inductions into the SCCA Hall of Fame in 2015 and the British Sports Car Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2025, he received yet another honor with induction into the Trans-Am Series Hall of Fame, capping a legacy recognized across every major racing discipline.
Robert Tullius passed away
