Charlotte, NC (March 5, 2004)-Press Pass Eclipse
2004 continues the Press Pass tradition of offering
collectors the very best in NASCAR trading cards and innovative
race-used memorabilia cards, and this year, Eclipse offers
even more. With a newly expanded base set, there are now
90 reasons why collectors will get excited about this super
premium NASCAR trading card set. "By expanding our
base set from 50 to 90 cards, we are not only offering collectors
more cards of their favorite drivers, but also including
the latest up-and-comers from the Busch Series," explains
Mandy Kirkland, product manager for Press Pass, a division
of RC2 (NASDAQ: RCRC). "Additionally, insert rates
for memorabilia and autographs have been dramatically improved
versus 2003 with autographs inserted at 1:20 packs."
In addition to the Under Cover race-used car covers
memorabilia cards (1:10 hobby, 1:240 retail), look for Double
Cover memorabilia inserts that feature dual car covers
of NASCAR Winston Cup teammates as well as Under Cover
Signature Series autographed memorabilia cards. Skidmarks
also returns utilizing shavings of race-used tire as a design
enhancement. Collectors won't have to look too far to find
one of the many memorabilia cards in Eclipse 2004
with at least two memorabilia cards in each hobby box (car
covers 1:10, Skidmarks 1:18- hobby only parallel #'d to
500).
Press Pass Eclipse includes the limited edition Press
Pass Autograph program of more than 60 personalities
that also appears in the Press Pass 2004 brand (1:20
hobby, 1:144 retail). Exclusively in Press Pass Eclipse
2004, collectors can find Press Pass Teammates Autographs
featuring driver signature pairs such as Jeff Gordon &
Jimmie Johnson on the same card (hobby only). Other inserts
include the final installment of a special Press Pass
"10th Anniversary" retrospective of the top
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. cards of all time (1:72, plus a hobby
only version sequentially numbered to 250); Destination:WIN
printed on foil and die-cut (1:2); Hyperdrive (1:10
packs) and Maxim (1:6 packs) highlighted on a combination
of holo-foil board and plastic.
Press Pass Eclipse 2004 also features the year-long
memorabilia program that includes the Triple Burner/Double
Burner inserts. This year, Triple Burner cards,
which feature a piece of race-used tire, sheet metal, and
lugnut all embedded into one card, can be found exclusively
in all hobby products throughout the year. Double Burner
cards, which showcases a piece of race-used firesuit and
glove embedded in the same card, will be inserted throughout
all Press Pass retail products during the year. In addition,
Total Memorabilia Power Pick contest cards will be
inserted in all 2004 Press Pass NASCAR releases. Product
release date is slated for March 10, 2004.
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 Muscle,
AMT®, W. Britain®, Press Pass®, Eden,
Feltkids® 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, Nintendo, Sega, Electronic Arts 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.
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