Norman McIver Portrait Courtesy of Cho Lee

Upon looking at my unfathomably large, sometimes ungainly website, I realized I had done two separate pages devoted to Pappy Forsyth. Both had their merits, in terms of giving this great driver the best exposure possble, but we don't need two of them. This is an attempt to get all materials in, using the best aspects of both previous pages.

Roy Forsyth, apparently a car dealer from the Keene, NH area, had begun racing in the raucous, disorganized early days of racing in his region. Usually then running a car #80, he ran at such places as Rhythm Inn Speedway, Millers Falls, MA; the Cheshire County fairgrounds near Keene [sometimes called Safford Park Speedway]; Brattleboro Speedway, West Brattleboro, VT; the track near Hinsdale, NH; Pico Raceway, Rutland, VT, and other such bullrings.

Walt Perkins Photo Courtesy of the Davis Family
Roy, posing at Keene, NH with his own car. The tee shirt says "Noel Speedway", which suggests that he had ventured as far north as
La Prairie, Quebec to race in those early days.

In an attempt to bring some order to the chaos [and perhaps inspired by outfits like the Triangle Racing Association and the Pioneer valley Racing Association], he became president of the Monadnock Stock Car Racing Association, which operated at the Keene track primarily. There is loose reference to the name "Maurice Forysth [particularly around the Rythm Inn track]. I now think that was probably his middle name. 

Some time in the 1950's, Forysth became involved with a Bradford, VT car owner named George Barber, whose wrecky but fast little #46 car had been driven by Stub Piper, whose wife was now putting the damper on any more racing. Barber persuaded Forsyth to driver the car, and the combination was very dominant, despite the terrible appearance of the car. When tracks such as Northeastern Speedway [Lower Waterford, VT] and Thunder Road International Speedbowl [Barre, VT] opened, Barber built a new and better - looking 46. He also added a second car, the 47, which was driven by Leland Ingerson.

George Barber Photo Collection Courtesy of Cho Lee

 Roy Forsyth [right], George Barber [middle], and crew celebrate an upset wins at Stafford Springs, CT with Cokes.
The track was less than pleased and told George to either upgrade the looks or don't come back.

The Barber team was very dominant - particularly at Thunder Road, in the track's earlier years. Eventually Forysth, whose nickname came from the fact he was a bit older than most of his competitors, stepped down and Barber put Larry Granger in the 46. Forsyth is recognized as a racing pioneer and legend and he is in a number of halls fo fame. This page shows his materials in three sections: the #80 era, the #46 era, and personal mementos.

    The 80 Years   

Courtesy of Walt Perkins A younger Roy, likely in Keene, with  what is probably his first  race car amd a Hudson tow car.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins A pose in the early car, with someone's little girl nearby. Supposedly this is 1951.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins A note on the back of a 1951 pit pass from Pico Raceway's [Rutland, VT] inaugural show. This would be with that three window coupe shown at left.	Courtesy of Rutland Historical Society Forsyth is seen in action at Pico's first show. He has painted up the car a bit more attractively. he would return there in 1952 with Barber.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth, victorious at Safford Park, as was often the case. This seems to be a much better car.	Jack Teetor Photo for Keene Sentinel Ladabouche Collection Forsyth, at speed at Safford Park - probably in 1951 or 52.
Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth, victorious at Safford  Park, as was often the case.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth spinning at Safford  Park Speedway.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth, on the move at Safford  Park, in 1957	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth's 1952 Claremont trophy.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth's 1952 Claremont trophy plaque closeup.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Same trophy.
Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth's 1951 Claremont ticket stub.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth's 1952 Claremont vs Keene poster ad.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth's 1952 Malletts Bay trophy.	Courtesy of FE Harf Family via Arnie Hill Forsyth is holding a trophy  in the middle of this shot at Malletts Bay Raceway. It is likely older than the one at left.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth's 1952 Malletts Bay trophy.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins A 1952 Maine racing ticket.
Courtesy of Walt Perkins Early 1950's payout showing the enormous winnings awaiting a stock car driver.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth is second to last at this unknown track.	Courtesy of Walt Perkins Forsyth is third to last at this same unknown  track partly obscured.	Ladabouche Collection As President of the MSCRA, he awards George Janoski as repeat sportsman champion for Safford Park.	Ladabouche Collection As President of the MSCRA, he awards George Schnyer as hobby champion for Safford Park.	.  Courtesy of the Davis Family With the fast 80 at Keene.
	Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook 1951 Colchester- Bayview Spdwy and Colchester Raceway Ticket Stubs	Courtesy of Chip Cormie "Maurice" Forsyth chases Champ Rene Charland at Rhythm Inn.	From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVDs Forsythat speed at the Brattleboro Speedway. Rene Charland got his 1st win in this race.

         The Barber Years      

Courtesy of Cho Lee Sometime in 1952, Roy took over the George Barber #46 from Stub Piper. The bruised little Ford was an absolute rocket. This is one of their first wins.	Courtesy of Cho Lee Forsyth and Barber, winning at Stafford Springs in 1952or 53. Management told them not to come back without a better - looking car. Barber's cars were much spiffier after that.	Courtesy of Cho Lee One of Barfber and Forsyth's trophies. This one was from Rhythm Inn Speedway, of the Pioneer Valley Racing Assoc.	Ladabouche Collection The Barber 46 at an unknown track, maybe Brattleboro Speedway. Driver could have been Piper or Forsyth.	Ladabouche Collection Overheating, likely at West Lebanon, NH.	.  Ladabouche Collection Being chased at Stateline Speedway by legendary Steve Danish.
Courtesy of Marty Harty The early Barber entry getting itself in trouble at Claremont.	Courtesy of Chip Cormie Forsyth dumps future Champ Rene Charland at Rhythm Inn.	Courtesy of Cho Lee George soon had a new and better - looking car for Pappy to win with.	Courtesy of Cho Lee The Forsyth / Barber car at Dog River Speedway, Northfield, VT.	Courtesy of Cho Lee Pappy, in his last season, posing with future replacement Larry Granger.	Courtesy of Cho Lee Forsyth, with Barber team mate Lee Ingerson at Thunder Road.
Courtesy of Mark Austin Forsyth receiving a trophy from Ken Squier at T Road.	Courtesy of Cho Lee Pappy and George getting awards.	Courtesy of Cho Lee Pappy, in his last season, posing with future replacement Larry Granger in Vic Lane and Pete Pierson [rt].		Ladabouche Photo The 46, restored.	Ladabouche Photo The 46, restored.

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