09/01/2026
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of John F. “Fritz” Kayl, co-founder of Katech and a man whose vision helped shape nearly five decades of Katech performance and motorsports history.
In 1977, Fritz Kayl and Warren Frieze founded Katech with a shared passion for engineering and racing. From the beginning, the mission was clear: solve the difficult problems, push beyond what was thought possible, and build engines capable of performing when everything was on the line.
As Katech’s longtime CEO and Technical Director, Fritz helped establish the engineering philosophy and uncompromising standards that became the foundation of our company.
Those standards carried Katech from IROC, Trans-Am and NASCAR to some of the most demanding endurance races in the world. Through our historic relationship with Corvette Racing, Katech engines powered victories at Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring and beyond.
Fritz believed horsepower meant little without durability, and winning required both. His relentless pursuit of better engineering and determination to solve the challenges others couldn’t became part of Katech’s DNA.
His legacy is far greater than the engines, race cars, trophies and victories connected to the Katech name. It lives in the engineers who learned to think differently, the engine builders and machinists who were taught never to compromise, and the generations of people who continue to carry those standards forward.
Nearly 50 years after Fritz helped open Katech’s doors, his influence can still be seen in the way we engineer, build, test and race today.
Our deepest condolences go to Fritz’s family, friends, former colleagues, and the many people throughout the automotive and motorsports communities whose lives and careers he touched.
Thank you, Fritz, for the vision.
For the relentless pursuit of performance.
For setting a standard that still drives us today.
Your legacy is in every engine we build, every challenge we take on, and every race still ahead.
Your legacy will forever be part of Katech.
With our deepest respect and gratitude,
Mark & Lynn Rapson and the entire Katech Team
