ROCHESTER, Ind. — Racers and fans looking to get a piece of Gaerte Racing Engines will have their opportunity when the legendary engine business goes to the auction block June 18-19.
The company, which was acquired by TOPP Performance Race Parts owner Kevin Birchmeier from Joe and Brenda Gaerte in 2017, is being liquidated by Kraft Auction Service.
“It’s everything from parts to build engines to the equipment to build the engines,” said Jonathan Kraft, owner of Kraft Auction Service.
Broken up into more than 1,800 lots, the entire business is being made available for sale. That includes the intellectual property — the Gaerte Racing Engines name, logo, website and much more.
“The Gaerte Engines name, website, logo, everything that goes along with it is for sale. You can actually buy the business and take that name and start your engine shop under the same name,” Kraft said. “The intellectual property is probably the most intriguing thing because if you already have an engine shop or are starting an engine shop, you’ll want to get that name behind you to help you out.
“Or maybe you have a very successful shop already and want to take their history and client base and move it to your shop, there’s an opportunity to do that.”
Beyond the intellectual property, interested parties can find everything from decals, sweat shirts, engine parts and trailers among the items available for purchase.
“Obviously the stacker trailer is a nice item in the sale,” Kraft said. “Some of the machinery and engine equipment, the SERDI machine and items like that are great stuff that shop owners, not just engine builders, but any type of race team could use in their shop to help build throughout the year.
“It’s not just limited to the professional engine builders, it can be any racer who could use this equipment to help their team improve.”
Founded by Earl Gaerte in 1969, Gaerte Racing Engines became one of the top performance parts businesses in the Midwest. Based in Rochester, Ind., Gaerte founded the business in his two-car garage with $1,000 and some performance parts.
Initially building engines for drag racing, Gaerte grew the business to include oval-track racing. He built engines for many of short-track racing’s top stars, most notably 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser and three-time World of Outlaws champion Sammy Swindell.
The business was eventually handed down to Earl’s son and daughter, Joe and Brenda. Joe Gaerte continued the family legacy and continued to operate the business before it was sold to TOPP Performance Race Parts in 2017.
Joe Gaerte now works for Kyle Larson Racing as the crew chief for Carson Macedo in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.
Those interested in viewing the auction contents can click here to view the auction catalog online and sign up to bid online. Online bidding is available now.
A live auction will take place at Gaerte Racing Engines, located at 601 Monroe Street, Rochester, IN 46975, on June 18-19 starting each day at 9 a.m. EST. There will be an auction preview on June 17.
For additional information, visit www.kraftauctions.com.