The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is saddened by the loss of Bob Riley, a legendary engineer and automotive designer whose vehicles still compete and win in Trans Am today. Riley has designed innovative and competitive race cars over the course of five decades, winning events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indy 500, 12 Hours of Sebring and the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and his vehicles have won championships in IMSA, INDYCAR and Grand-Am. Trans Am drivers such as Scott Pruett, Scott Sharp, Jack Baldwin and Wally Dallenbach Jr. has won 14 Trans Am titles behind the wheel of Riley-built cars.

Tom Gloy won the 1984 Trans Am championship in a Lincoln-Mercury Capri designed by Riley at Roush Racing. In 1990, Riley and Mark Scott joined forces to form Riley & Scott. The first car the company developed was the Mk I Trans Am chassis, which was piloted to numerous wins in the series. In 2001, the Mk VIII debuted in Trans Am.

His latest entry into Trans Am, TA’s Ave-Riley AR3, made its track debut in 2022, with drivers including Chris Dyson, Tomy Drissi, Justin Marks, David Pintaric and Gar Robinson since then.

“Racing is an engineering sport and there is always something new to learn and apply to the future generation of cars,” said Bob Riley at the time of its release. “We implemented in this car all the thoughts and ideas that we have developed over the last 20 years since we designed and built their previous generation of cars that continue to be driven today.”

Longtime Trans Am competitor David Pintaric took delivery of the very first AR3.

“I was lucky enough to be involved in Mr. Riley’s latest design project; my current car is chassis #1,” said Pintaric. “It was an honor to work with him. He was a great engineer, but an even greater man.” He will be missed.”

Three-time TA champion Chris Dyson has used the AR3 for the past three seasons in his team, CD Racing, including his title-winning years in 2022 and 2023. He has taken two victories in the car this season.

“Twenty-four years ago I started my professional racing career in a Riley & Scott Mk III, and this year I’m still winning races in a car that Bob designed,” said Dyson. “That Bob remained a thoughtful and creative force in race car design throughout the 80s and into his early 90s is a testament to how his work continues to influence the sport. It was my honor to work with him and enjoy so much success together .”

2009 TA Champion Tomy Drissi has driven many Riley cars over the years and currently owns a stable of them with his team, Drissi Motorsports.

“We lost a racing legend in Bob Riley, and he will never be forgotten,” Drissi said. “I’m proud to have driven his cars to poles and wins, and I hope to have many more with him riding alongside me.”

A two-time CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion, Gar Robinson made his TA class debut last year at the season finale at the Circuit of The Americas behind the wheel of a Riley car and won the event. He said at the time, “It was probably my favorite start ever in all my starts in motorsports. These are the most fun cars to drive. To be able to drive against all the guys my dad used to drive against, all the legends, and to be a part of that and sharing it with all my friends and family is amazing. Extending the relationship between my family and Riley Motorsports and being back here in Trans Am has made this the best day ever.”

TA Technical Director Aaron Coalwell reflected on his meetings with Riley.

“I’m relatively new to motorsports compared to Bob Riley, and although I’ve heard the name Bob Riley for many years, I only met Bob after the launch of the Riley AR3 car for the 2023 Trans Am,” said Coalwell. “Each of the few times I met Bob he was so gracious with his time and willing to share his vast experience in motorsport; it made me feel like I had known him much longer than I had. The world of motorsport was a better place for Bob Riley to be in, and he will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences go out to Bill Riley and the entire Riley Technologies organization.”

The Trans Am Series extends its condolences to Riley’s family, friends and employees.