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.	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 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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