ROY "PAPPY" FORSYTH


Norman McIver Portrait
Courtesy of Cho Lee

      Pappy Forsyth is not widely known much beyond the confines of New England; but, he should be. He - like Steve Danish [another important racing pioneer] was already older than many of the men he raced against when he began his career. This served to shorten his career at a time when racing was just getting out of the
dark ages of unsafe, dusty, rutty bullrings carved out of someone's pasture. There is also frequent mention, mostly in northern Massachusetts, of a Maurice Forsyth. I cannot ascertain if this is Pappy. he did run at tracks like Rhythm Inn  Speedway, a track in Miller's Falls, MA where Maurice is listed. It appears, from a couple of trophy inscriptions with the middle initials of "M.D." that it might have been a middle name. With MD, I', surprised the nickname wasn't Doc.

     The Forsyth career is essentially in two parts - the earlier days with his #80, and the later, more famous days driving for the brilliant car owner George Barber, a car supplies dealer from the northeastern Vermont community of Bradford. Pappy was just getting a good grip on his career with Barber when he decided to retire, some time around 1961 or 1962. He not only excelled at driving, but he had served as president of the Monadnock Stock Car Racing Association, which operated at tracks like Safford Park, at the Cheshire Fairgrounds near Keene, NH. I have seen the name spelled Forsythe, as well; but his own car and some trophies use Forsyth - do I decided on that.

    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.
 
J
ack 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 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 trouible
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 / Baber car at
Dog River Speedway,
Northfield.
 
Ladabouche Photo
The 46, restored.
 
Ladabouche Photo
The 46, restored.
 
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 Bruce
Pierson [rt].
 

 

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