Bob Tullius : Expert Advisor
Bob Tullius made his mark early in the 1960s by establishing one of the most formidable race teams, Group 44 Inc. A native of Rochester, New Your, Tullius based his company in Winchester, Virginia, where he and his team of race car experts prepared and raced cars for Standard-Triumph, his primary client. Tullius personal race car was a Triumph TR4. In 1969, following the formation of British Leyland Motors, Group 44 Inc. began racing MGs as well as Triumphs, and in 1974 it was one of two Jaguar® Factory-backed teams to begin racing the Series III V12 E-type. With Tullius driving, the E-type won the SCCA B Production Championship in 1975. Tullius’ racing career spanned more than three decades and included wins at the Daytona three-hour race and at Lime Rock, Atlanta, Mosport and Pocono. In 1977 and 1978, he won back-to-back Drivers Championships in the Trans-Am series, as well as the Manufacturers Championship in 1978 while racing for Jaguar® in an XJ-S. Following on the heels of this success, Group 44 Inc. developed and campaigned an XJR-5 ground-effects prototype in IMSA Camel GT competition. An original concept, this mid-engine prototype carried a 500-horsepower Jaguar® V12 and was capable of speeds up to 225 mph. Jaguar® and Tullius had a long and successful racing relationship that came to an end in 1987. Group 44 Inc. continued to campaign race cars for other manufacturers, including Audi and Pontiac. In 1990, Tullius turned his attention to other interests. The responsibility of running Group 44 Inc. was placed in the hands of several key employees. The company was dissolved in the mid-90s. Tullius is an avid and active World War II airplane enthusiast. Along with his collection of World War II Air Force trainers, he also acquired a North American P51 Mustang. For several years, the race car driver-turned pilot participated in several Warbird Air Shows. Tullius was also active in the EAA’s (Experimental Aircraft Association) Young Eagles program in which a group of pilots teach flight disciplines to underprivileged children. Residing in Florida, Tullius enjoys his vintage car and airplane collection, but is reducing it. He donated his P51 to the Royal Air Force Museum in England several years ago.