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Building History
Building History
In 1956, Mary Krantz gave an acre from the Krantz farmland to her son, Eddie Krantz, and to her son-in-law, Ralph Mercer. Their plan was to build a building and make it a gas station and auto repair shop which they would share.
By May of 1957, Ralph and Mary Mercer purchased the business from Eddie Krantz. In 1966, another built was put up next to the original shop. This was for selling motorcycles while the gas station was still open. Around this time, Ralph noticed he couldn't do it all by himself, so he started to hire workers, including Denny Stillion (father of Tim Stillion) in 1965. In 1969, Ralph and Mary Mercer (the sister of Eddie Krantz) made the decision to stop selling motorcycles and to put their main focus into selling Rupp mini bikes, go-karts, and more.
Ralph Mercer and Eddie Krantz Building the Gas Station/Auto Repair Shop
The Finished Product: 1956
A-1 Motorcycle Sales and Gas Station: 1966
Towing started for the shop in the 1970s. Unfortunately, in 1978 Rupp quit making mini bikes and others, which meant reduced business for the shop. Ralph made the shop a Minor Maintenance Repair shop after 1984 because of his age, and he had help from his grandson Tim Stillion who worked there alongside him every day. In 1985, Ralph and Mary Mercer's daughters came together to create a bookstore (A-1 Bookstore) out of the old Rupp mini bike shop, which is still in business at the same location today.
A-1 Amoco Gas Station in the 1980s
In 1989, Ralph decided to take down the gas station and make the business only auto repair, with the help of his grandson, Tim Stillion. Tim and Ralph ran the auto repair shop until 2013 when Ralph passed away. Tim inherited the business from Ralph, and Ralph’s wife and daughter, Mary Mercer and Ruth Braid, still run the bookstore. The auto repair shop and bookstore still remain in service today, and Tim moved his family to the shop so his sons Cody Stillion and Casey Stillion could grow up working there just like he did.
Ralph E. Mercer Jr. 1925-2013
In 2018 Tim Stillion Got a new front part of the biulding, so it can still be in service longer.
A-1 Auto Repair 2020
Auto Repair Shop 1956
Racing History
Racing History
Ralph Mercer was born in 1925. He grew up watching sprint cars on the dirt track in the 1930s and he knew someday he would build one. In 1943, Ralph met Mary Krantz, who lived on the Krantz farm in Richville, Ohio. Before he knew it, Ralph was sent to the service to fight in World War Two. He came back in 1946 and married Mary in 1948. As the 50s began, Ralph started racing stock cars at Canton Motor Speedway and other tracks.
Ralph #25
The Pit Crew
Ralph Mercer in the Lead
In 1956, Ralph built his own shop with Eddie Krantz. When he was running the shop in the 1970s, he had the idea of building his own vintage sprint car. He wanted to build a replica of what he used to watch when he was little, a 1930 sprint car. In 1939, Ray Kuns made a planning sheet of how to build this sprint car. He made it in a book and shared it with the public for people like Ralph that always dreamed of building one.
1939 Ray Kuns Plans
Using his knowledge of stock car racing and auto repair, Ralph started to make his car.
The Number 25 sprint car in the process of being built
After months of working Ralph finished his car and joined the vintage racing group called the AARA in the 1980s.
The Newspaper Article from the 1980s
The Newspaper Article from the 1980s
"Former Race driver, Ralph Mercer became interested in Antique Sprint cars, decided to become active again, but couldn't find a car to his liking. Having his possession plans drawn in 1939 by race car designer Ray Kuns of Cincinnati, he built this car entirely by hand, using parts and methods used in the thirties.
This car has a Modified Ford-Mercury V-8 engine used by the owner driver in his previous race cars."
When Ralph would go to the vintage races, his grandson Tim Stillion always went with him, and he would drive the 25 around the track also.
Tim Stillion In the 25
Ralph did some planning and decided he wanted to build another vintage sprint car to take to the track so that both he and Tim would have something to race.
Ralph Mercer in the 52
In the 1980s, Ralph made a car which was a replica of a 1950s sprint car. He made it the same color as the number 25 and the number for it was 52, so these cars were not that much different at all. The 52 has a Ford straight six flat head engine in it.
Casey Stillion in the 52 at the Rockabilly Ruckus
Time went by to fast and both the cars weren't on the track for awhile since the AARA shut down. Then the Rockabilly Ruckus opened up and now we run them there every year. In 2004 Cody Stillion was born and raced go karts with Ralphs number 25 on it to carry on the legacy starting from the 1950s.
Cody Stillion at Midvale Speedway after wining a race
Cody made his way up the chart, starting in go-karts and making a way to the race cars.
Cody Stillion In his driveway doing who knows what
Cody Stillion In the Deerfield Raceway Winners circle
In 2012, Casey Stillion was born, and now is racing go-karts with the number 52 to also carry on Ralph’s legacy.
Casey Stillion at Midvale Speedway in the 50cc go-karts
Casey Stillion at Hill Top Speedway
Casey Stillion at Hilltop Speedway
Today, the A-1 Racing Team is still in business, proudly carrying on the legacy of racing that Ralph began in the 1950s.
Auto Racing Photos
Auto Racing Photos
Tim Stillion In the 25 Racing Ralph Mercer in the Red Sprint Car
Tim Stillion After wining a race at Deerfield Raceway
Casey Stillion Getting His First Racing Trophy
Casey Stillion Racing at Hilltop Speedway
The Back of Cody Stillions Race car, R.I.P Glenn Glover, a close friend.
Cody Stillion in the Deerfield Winners Circle, with Casey and Jonah Stillion
Cody Stillion in the 25 at the Rockabilly Ruckus
Cody Stillion in the Deerfield Winners Circle with Casey Stillion and Todd Workman
for more photos, go to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/a1racingteam25
For racing videos, go to our YouTube site at www.youtube.com/channel/UCtWv7Ab480ILjZQG1gtYOLQ
by Cody Stillion
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