NEWS

Race car dedicated to Ray Border

Jennifer L. Manfrin

WEST LAFAYETTE – Tracy Wyler wanted to find a lasting way to memorialize his friend, Raymond Border, who died serving his country.

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Raymond Border is memorialized on the Phantom 309 Ray Border Memorial Race Car.

He decided that because of their mutual love of cars, a race car in his memory would be the perfect tribute. Last winter, he began working on the Phantom 309 Ray Border Memorial Race Car to recall the man he calls a "hometown hero."

"If Ray was here, I probably couldn't get him away from it," Wyler said of the open wheel modified stock car that has a 2012 Diamond chassis, a 431-cubic inch Chevrolet motor and more than 650 horsepower. Placards with Border's military photo and the words "Never Forgotten" are proudly displayed on the car.

"It's something to give back to Ray, because we really miss him. He was such a good kid," Wyler said.

Border was born and raised in West Lafayette and was a 1999 graduate of Ridgewood High School. After graduation, he entered the military and served as a U.S. Navy builder chief petty Officer. He was killed on patrol in 2011 in Afghanistan while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. Border was 31 years old.

The Ray Border Memorial Race Car not only memorializes Border but also is a way to thank anyone who is active duty or a veteran of the armed forces, Wyler said.

"The way we look at it, if they don't watch over us, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. We owe a lot to our service men and women," he said.

Wyler began working on the memorial race car last winter with his friend, Norm "Stormin' Norman" Aronhalt, of Warsaw, who also takes the wheel during races.

Although Aronhalt didn't know Border, years ago he wrestled with his dad.

"After everything that Tracy told me about Ray, I was on board all the way," said Aronhalt, who has been racing modified stock cars for 40 years.

Norm “Stormin’ Norman” Aronhalt, left, and Tracy Wyler stand by the Phantom 309 Ray Border Memorial Race Car.

So far, he has raced the car six times at Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg, with plans to take the Ray Border Memorial Race Car to more race ways next year after working out the last few bugs.

"We'll get it together. It's a great memorial to Ray," he said.

Wyler, who lives in West Lafayette, used to lift weights with Border, but first came to know him when he mentored his son, Nate, in biddy wrestling. Border, who was great athlete in track and football, saw Nate's potential, Wyler said, and continued to help him throughout his years of high school wrestling.

"He was tremendous. Any kind of questions Nate had, Ray was there to answer them and help," Wyler said.

Wyler went on to say that he has many fond memories of his friend, who would stop to visit the Wyler's home when he was home on leave.

"Those times are close to my heart. Even when he left for the service, he would always stop to see me when he came home," Wyler said.

Wyler also gives credit to local businesses that have sponsored the Ray Border Memorial Race Car. B&B Vinyl Designs and Hitchens and Associates, of Coshocton, and Chilly Willy's Dari Bar, of Newcomerstown, have helped make the car possible because of their support in honoring Border's memory.

"Everybody who met this kid fell in love with him," Wyler said. "He will never be forgotten."