Charlotte, NC (March 5, 2004)-Releasing on March
10, 2004, collectors will be pleasantly surprised to find
one autograph in every hobby box of Press Pass Eclipse
2004. This marks the first time that a Press Pass NASCAR
product has included an autograph per box. In addition to
one autograph per hobby box, Press Pass Eclipse 2004
is the only Press Pass product where you will find the rare
Teammate Autographs and first ever Dale Earnhardt
Jr. Signature Series autograph cards.
The popular Teammate Autograph program returns to
Press Pass Eclipse in 2004 for the second year in a
row. This year's program includes autographs from seven
pairs of NASCAR Nextel Cup teammates. For the first time
ever, Press Pass has paired signatures of championship winning
teammates, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart on the same card.
Other teammate pairs include: Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson,
Mark Martin and Greg Biffle, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett,
Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon, Casey Mears and Jamie McMurray,
and Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. Teammate Autographs
are sequentially numbered to 25.
The Signature Series program for Press Pass Eclipse
2004 is highlighted by the addition of Dale Earnhardt
Jr. to the line-up. There are eight drivers included in
Signature Series Under Cover. These hobby-only memorabilia
autograph cards feature drivers' signatures paired with
swatches of their event-used car cover, and are sequentially
numbered to their car door number. There are only eight
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Signature Series Under Cover cards
produced, making this one of his rarest cards and only autographed
memorabilia card to date!
"We are excited to put together such a strong autograph
roster for Press Pass Eclipse 2004," explained
Heather Maillard, associate product manager for Press Pass,
a division of RC2 (NASDAQ: RCRC). "With the first ever
Signature Series autographs of Dale Earnhardt Jr, and
a talented line-up of Teammate Autographs, there are several
opportunities for collectors to pull rare autographs that
can only be found in Press Pass Eclipse 2004."
Collectors will also find a variety of 2004 Press Pass
Autographs included in Eclipse. In total, there are
over 60 drivers in the program, including Dale Earnhardt
Jr's first 2004 autographs.
RC2 (www.rc2corp.com) is a leading producer and marketer
of high quality, innovative collectibles and toys targeted
at adult collectors and children, as measured by sales and
brand recognition. The Company's diverse product offerings
include: agricultural, construction and outdoor sports vehicle
replicas; automotive, high performance and racing vehicle
replicas; traditional children's toys; sports trading cards
and racing apparel and souvenirs; and collectible figures.
These products are sold under the Company's market-focused
brand names, including Racing Champions®, Ertl®,
Ertl Collectibles®, Learning Curve®, American Muscleä,
AMT®, W. Britain®, Press Pass®, Eden®, Feltkids®,
JoyRide® and JoyRide Studios®. The Company supports
its brands and enhances the authenticity of its products
by linking them with highly recognized licensed properties
from John Deere, Harley-Davidson, HIT Entertainment, Lamaze,
Case, Polaris, Honda, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler,
NASCAR, NHRA, Texaco, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers,
DIC Entertainment, Discovery Channel and Microsoft. The
Company's products are marketed through multiple channels
of distribution, including chain retailers, specialty and
hobby wholesalers and retailers, OEM dealers, corporate
accounts for promotional purposes and direct to consumers.
The Company sells through more than 20,000 retail outlets
located in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
###