Roy "Pappy" Forsyth
Walter Perkins' Contributions from August, 2011
One of the state's earliest superstars was an out - of stater named Roy Forsyth, from Keene, New Hampshire. Apparently, Forsyth tended to be competing against drivers younger than he was, thus the nickname "Pappy" came about. It is not a particularly accurate nickname given the fact he had movie star looks and never really seemed that old, but it stuck.
Forsyth started out at tracks in his region, most notably the Cheshire County Fairgrounds track near Keene, NH.. The track was run by an association and Pappy served as one of its presidents. He had keen competition then [if you'll excuse the pun] - the likes of Art Rousseau, Rene Charland, Cecil Bosworth, Art and Mike Cody, Ted Brown, Ernie Gahan, Sonny Rabidou, and Buddy Bardwell.
Scanned from an old issue of The Keene Sentinel
Although he was busy as MSCRA President, Forsyth was still able to be one of the track's premier competitors. He won numerous races at the fairgrounds - and at other tracks in the area, as well. His accomplishments earned him a good reputation and he caught the eye of an industrious Northern Vermont car owner named George Barber, of Bradford, Vermont. Barber and Forsyth would soon form a partnership that would be very dominant in the Northern Vermont region for years to come.
Scanned from an old issue of The Keene Sentinel
Barber's cream - colored Bradford Auto Supply #46 coupe was soon to be synonymous with excellence and success at places like Northeast Speedway in Waterford, Vermont and Barre, Vermont's Thunder Road. Eventually, Barber would add a second coupe, #47, but it was Pappy Forsyth who had established the team as one of the best in the history of racing in the state.
Bill Ladabouche Photos
The George Barber coupe Forsyth drove,
as it is restored today
by Lloyd Hutchins, of East Barre, VT
 Courtesy of George Hill The earlier 80 coupe, seemingly in trouble at Safford Park, Keene. |
 Courtesy of George Hill Apparently the spin was minor. Victory Lane, the same day. |
 Courtesy of George Hill The familiar winning smile at Safford Park, Keene. |
 Rutland Herald Photo An earlier 80 coupe, in a heat race at Pico Raceway, Rutland, VT |
 Les King Photo Courtesy of Cho Lee In his first year with George Barber. This is supposedly Stafford Sprgs. |
 Courtesy of FE Hart Family via Arnie Hill Collecting high points trophy at Colchester-Bayview Speedway. |
 Courtesy of Mike Gilbert The Forsythe coupe at Dog River Speedway in Northfield, VT |
 ACT Archives Courtesy of Cho Lee Roy and George awarded trophies at the Thunder Road banquet in the early 1960's |
 ACT Archives Courtesy of Cho Lee Forsythe, Granger, and Pierson receive T Road trophies in 1960 |
Courtesy of Cho Lee
The trophy seen above from Colchester-Bayview Speedway.
WALTER PERKINS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE AHLERS SCRAPBOOK ON FORSYTH
 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook The Forsythe coupe at Safford Park Speedway in Keene, NH
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 ACT Archives Courtesy of Cho Lee Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook The Forsythe coupe, before he bought it, with the NY owner or driver.
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 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook What might be his first coupe, ready to go, at home.
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 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook What might be his first coupe, possibly at Malletts Bay.
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 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook 3 shots of his first coupe, running at some unknown track. Might be Malletts Bay.   |
 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook 1952 Colchester- Bayview Spdwy State Championship Race. Trophy Plaque.  |
 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook More of Colchester- Bayview Spdwy Trophy |
 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook 1951 Claremont Spdwy Trophy  |
 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook 1951 Consi Pay Stub from an Unknown Track.
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 Courtesy of Walter Perkins from the Ahlers Scrapbook Forsyth's first George Barber car - in a wreck at Claremont.
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