Bob Tullius Passes Away at 95

Photo: Motorsports Hall of Fame of America

Sports car racing pioneer Bob Tullius passed away on Monday at the age of 95.

Tullius, who served in the U.S. Air Force, was the mastermind behind the Group 44 team, which was founded in 1965 and earned more than 300 wins in SCCA club racing, IMSA GTP competition and Trans-Am over a 25-year run.

Of note, Tullius brought Jaguar back to the 24 Hours Le Mans for the first time in nearly 30 years, campaigning the XJR-5 which he developed, and won the IMSA GTP class in the French endurance classic in 1985 as one of the drivers.

Tullius drove competitively until 1988, with his final win coming at the 3 Hours of Daytona in 1986.

He appeared in more than 250 races, winning 38 and posting 43 class wins, including SCCA national titles in 1977-78, overall honors in Trans-Am and finishing runner-up to Al Holbert in the 1983 IMSA GTP season.

Tullius was inducted 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, and the IMSA Hall of Fame in 2025.

“Bob Tullius was one of the true originals in American sports car racing,” said IMSA President John Doonan.

“He was a visionary competitor, a gifted team leader, and a gentleman whose presence elevated every paddock he entered.

“His success with Group 44 and his decades of innovation and excellence left an unmistakable imprint on IMSA’s history and on the countless people he inspired along the way.

“We mourn the loss of a Hall of Famer, a pioneer, and a dear friend to our community.

“On behalf of everyone at IMSA, we extend our deepest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, former teammates, and the many fans who cherished his remarkable legacy.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John