Jeffrey Alan Gerner

Obituary

Jeffrey Alan “Jeff” Gerner, 72, of the Kansas City area, passed away on April 25, 2026, in Gladstone, Missouri, following a short but courageous battle with ALS. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jeff lived a life defined by relentless mechanical ingenuity, high-speed ambition, and a quiet, uncompromising dedication to craftsmanship.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Gerner (1926 - 1994) and Doris Gerner (née McClatchey, 1928 - 2016), and his brother, James Paul Gerner (1957 - 2024). He leaves behind his wife, Linda Gerner, and his daughter, Ashley Gerner; along with his other family members: brother Gregory Gerner and wife, Victoria Primicias; sister Lyn Gerner and husband, Kenneth Yoshimoto; and sister-in-law, Sherry Gerner.

A retired automotive-fleet maintenance manager of over 30 years with the City of Kansas City, Missouri's Department of Aviation at KCI, Jeff channeled decades of hands-on expertise into Four Ring Performance Engineering (fourringperformance.com), the Missouri-based shop he founded and ran for years. Specializing in Audi and Volkswagen engines—particularly the legendary inline-five-cylinder turbo motors—he earned a worldwide reputation as an artisanal machinist and engine builder. Jeff personally crafted high-performance engines known for their meticulous porting, custom pistons, valve-train work, and bulletproof reliability. Clients from across the globe sought his expertise, and his shop became synonymous with the highest standards of VAG turbo engine development.

Jeff’s passion for racing began in his teens. At 18 he built his first race car—a 1968 Camaro drag car—followed by a B Fuel dragster at 19. He competed at SCCA regional and national levels in front-wheel-drive Hondas and later turned his attention to Audi platforms. In 2008 he competed in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb with a 1994 Audi S4. But it was land-speed racing that cemented his legacy. Inspired by a childhood family trip to Bonneville in 1970 and the film The World’s Fastest Indian, Jeff spent years transforming a 1993 Audi UrS4 sedan into an all-wheel-drive land-speed weapon. Working largely alone—fabricating the roll cage, building the engine, suspension, and aerodynamics himself over thousands of hours—he produced a car that made more than 1,150 wheel horsepower.

At the 2011 Bonneville Speed Week, Jeff piloted the car to a standout 242 mph run. He returned in 2012 and set the world record for the fastest four-door sedan with a one-way peak of 250.009 mph and an exit speed exceeding 260 mph. The required backup run was 223.189 mph, yielding a two-way average of 236.599 mph—a record that still stands. The car’s thunderous runs on the salt remain legendary in Audi and land-speed communities. Jeff went on in the 2020s to set a new record in the ECTA Blytheville, Arkansas straight mile, with a top speed of 228.717 mph in 2022. This record still stands.

To those who knew him, Jeff was more than a record-setting driver and builder. He was a patient teacher who freely shared his deep knowledge of five-cylinder Audis, a meticulous machinist who never cut corners, and a man of extraordinary work ethic who helped countless others with their projects. Tributes from the Audi, VW, and land-speed communities describe him as “a great American,” “a master of all things 5-cyl,” and “a detail-oriented engine machinist who built some of the best motors on the planet.” His shop’s recent integration into the Euroquipe family ensures that his bespoke five-cylinder engine designs and techniques will continue to power future builds.

In an era of mass production and quick fixes, Jeff Gerner stood out as a true artisan—building not just engines and race cars, but a legacy of precision, perseverance, and passion that will echo every time a five-cylinder Audi turbo sings on the salt or the street. The motorsports world has lost one of its most respected and genuine talents.

Rest in peace, Jeff. Your records remain unbroken, and your influence endures.

Memory wall