Bob Tullius, Group 44 Founder and Jaguar Le Mans Winner, Dies at 95

IMSA hails his pioneering Group 44 team model, with tributes planned at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Overview

His passing at age 95 was confirmed Monday, with IMSA President John Doonan praising Tullius as a visionary competitor and team leader.
Tullius co-founded Group 44 in 1965 with Brian Fuerstenau and Dick Gilmartin, building a professionally run outfit that set new standards for sponsorship and presentation.
Group 44 amassed more than 300 victories across SCCA, Trans-Am and IMSA GTP during a roughly 25-year run.
He developed Jaguar’s XJR-5, returned the marque to Le Mans and won the IMSA GTP class there in 1985; he raced until 1988 with a final win at Daytona in 1986.
Organizers are preparing commemorations at this weekend’s Twelve Hours of Sebring, and his recent honors include induction into the IMSA Hall of Fame in 2025.