Action Performance Signs Exclusive Licensing Agreement With Mark Martin for Historical Collectors' Series
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 1999--Action Performance Companies Inc., (Nasdaq: ACTN - news) Wednesday announced that it has signed an exclusive license with Mark Martin Enterprises to create a historical series of collectible die-cast replicas.
The series will include select Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and American Speed Association (ASA) series cars driven by one of NASCAR's most celebrated drivers, Mark Martin, during the first decade of his successful career.
Under the terms of the licensing agreement Action will have the exclusive rights to market die-cast scaled replica vehicles of cars driven by Martin during the period from 1977 through 1987.
The historical series will include approximately 17 die-cast replicas including 1977-1981 and 1984-1986 ASA Championship cars; 1981 Winston Cup No. 2 Dillon, Pontiac; 1987 Busch Ford Thunderbird and other Busch and Winston Cup cars Martin drove in the 1980s.
The agreement also allows Action to grant similar rights to its partner, Hasbro Inc., for the marketing and distribution of the Winner's Circle® product line through mass retail outlets nationwide. The agreement extends through 2001.
Martin burst onto the racing scene in 1977, capturing the ASA Rookie of the Year title. In 1978 he became the youngest champion in ASA history, subsequently winning the championship title four times.
Martin joined the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit in 1981 and built an intensely loyal and enduring fan base as he rose among the ranks of champions. For the past ten years he has consistently been one of the top ten points leaders and he has earned a position as one of the sport's premier drivers.
Said Fred W. Wagenhals, Action chairman, president and CEO, ''Mark Martin is one of NASCAR's greatest drivers and his dynamic career has significantly impacted the growth of the sport. We are pleased to add Mark to the Action family of premier drivers and we look forward to offering a high-end collectors' series to his fans and our customers in honor of his outstanding career accomplishments.''
Martin said, ''I have been behind the wheel of some great cars throughout the years and I'm pleased that Action is going to put a piece of that history into the hands of the fans.''
Action Performance Companies Inc. is the leader in the design, marketing, promotion and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. Its products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast car replica collectibles, apparel, souvenirs, and other memorabilia.
The company markets and distributes products through a variety of channels, including the 166,000-member Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA), online through SpeedMall at goracing.com, trackside at racing events, mass retail department stores, and a worldwide network of wholesale distributors and specialty dealers.
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Contact:
Action Performance Inc.
Christopher Besing, 602/337-3703
or
Victoria Welch, 602/337-3702
or
Fred Wagenhals, 602/337-3710 |
