June 2, 2014- This week the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) named one of North America’s greatest sports car racers and creator of “Group 44 Inc.”, Bob Tullius as the Grand Marshal for its annual Canadian Historic Grand Prix.
Tullius created one of the longest lasting and most successful racing stables in North America, spanning over twenty-five years. During that time, Group 44 represented British Car Manufacturers and iconic brands such as Triumph, MG and Jaguar. Tullius and company raced everything from a Triumph TR3 in which he won his first-ever race in 1961 to Jaguar XKEs to his own prototype Jaguar XJR-7. He is counted as royalty amongst Triumph owners, drivers and racers because of his huge success racing Triumph Cars.
Tullius accomplished a great deal on courses as varied as Le Mans and all of the great Trans-Am race courses, including Sebring, Watkins Glen, Mosport, Daytona, Riverside, Laguna Seca and St. Jovite, winning several championships along the way, but he counts Mosport as his favourite.
“I have often categorized Mosport as the most exciting and challenging track of all,” says Bob Tullius. “In fact, it is my personal favorite. Having won six out of the seven times that I raced there may have something to do with my affection for the place, however!”
His return to the Mosport will be a reunion for him in more ways than one as he meets up with old friends and competitors like Toronto-based former Trans-Am Champion, Eppie Wietzes as well as two of his famous championship winning cars – the Group 44 Triumph TR6, made famous by both himself and actor/racer Paul Newman, now owned and driven by Bill Warner, producer of the Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance in Florida and also the Trans-Am Jaguar XJS, now owned by Andy and Steve Moore of Toronto.
The VARAC 2013 CHGP is Canada’s premier Vintage & Historic racing event. It will be held Father’s Day Weekend in mid June at the world famous Mosport Grand Prix Circuit, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Bowmanville, Ontario. This year VARAC will feature the “Triumph vs MG Showdown”, pitting those two great British makes against each other in the ongoing battle for world sportscar dominance. US based racing clubs – Friends of Triumph and MG Vintage Racers will be on hand to fill out the grids and provide large fields that will make for exciting racing.
Del Bruce, President of VARAC said: “Just let me say that it is an honour for myself and all members of VARAC to welcome Bob Tullius as the Grand Marshal for our 2014 Canadian Historic Grand Prix. As you know, the race weekend will feature the decades old battle between the two great British rivals that formed the bedrock of sportscar racing in North America, Triumphs and MGs. We will see them in pitched battle on the racetrack just like in Bob’s day. We expect Triumph and MG Car Clubs to come out in large numbers to cheer them on.”
As always, VARAC members look forward to welcoming racers and fans alike from across the continent to another fabulous weekend of vintage and historic racing this coming Father’s Day weekend at Canada’s Home of Motorsport, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.”
Advance tickets for the CHGP are available at: http://store.ctmpark.com/index.php?crn=225
About VARAC: Founded in 1976, the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada has over 220 members with approximately 100 members who are active racing drivers. VARAC is sanctioned by Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs – Ontario Region under ASN Canada and the FIA. VARAC is a founding member of the Vintage Motorsport Council, an umbrella organization representing all Vintage Motorsport Clubs in North America.
VARAC members compete in Vintage and Historic Racing events across North America and abroad. VARAC is made up racing enthusiasts from all walks of life. Several Canadian Champions are included amongst the membership.
For more information go to www.canadianhistoricgrandprix.com
Or contact Bob DeShane: bob.deshane@varac.ca or call 705-878-5422
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