Glen Ellyn, Ill. (October 14, 2002) - One of the most famous drivers in NASCAR racing history, Dale Earnhardt - the legendary Intimidator himself - is depicted in full hunting gear in a new collection of articulated figures from Ertl Collectibles, a brand of Racing Champions Ertl.
See Dale Earnhardt action figures on display at the 2002 Model & Hobby Expo or read the original announcement.
Although at first glance, the sight of Earnhardt in anything other than a racing firesuit might seem surprising, it's anything but, according to Bill Walters, Managing Director for Racing Champions Ertl.
"Dale Earnhardt was a sportsman's sportsman," Walters said, "and hunting was his second love. These new figures bring realism and collectibility to fans from a different point of view-Dale's passion for the great outdoors."
The new figures are being produced under license from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as part of Racing Champions Ertl's Outdoor Sportsman line, and are the first to show Earnhardt wearing authentically scaled camouflage clothing with replica accessories.
Available now are Dale Earnhardt Rifle Hunter, Bow Hunter, and Turkey Hunter figures in a highly poseable 12" size and also in 1:18 scale. Wearing authentic Realtree Hardwoods® camouflage and outfitted with a Remington® Model 700™ rifle, radio, and binoculars, the figures are Dale to a "T." Suggested retail prices for the 12" figures range from $19.99-$22.99, with the 1:18-scale versions at $9.99. Also available in 1:18 scale at $15.00-$19.99 is a Dale Earnhardt figure with a Honda ATV.
Walters pointed out that, like other Outdoor Sportsman products, the Dale Earnhardt figures and the gear that comes with them are exceptionally accurate, right down to the sheath of the knife and the blaze-orange hunter's vest he's wearing. "These are the details Dale Earnhardt collectors want," he said, "whether they're one of the 75 million NASCAR fans in the U.S. today, or among the 77 million Americans who actively enjoy the great outdoors."
Racing Champions Ertl (www.rcertl.com) is a leading producer and marketer of innovative collectibles and toys targeted at males of all ages. The Company's diverse product offerings include scaled die-cast replicas of John Deere agricultural equipment and NASCAR stock cars, other licensed vehicle replicas, pre-teen toys, sports trading cards, 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®, American Muscle™, AMT®, W. Britain®, Press Pass®, and JoyRide Studios™. The Company reinforces its brands and enhances the authenticity of its products by linking them with highly recognized licensed properties including NASCAR, NHRA, John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Case IH, Polaris, Honda, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Texaco, Warner Brothers, Gullane Entertainment, Nintendo, Sega, and Electronic Arts. The Company's products are marketed through multiple channels of distribution, including mass retailers and specialty and hobby wholesalers and retailers, OEM dealers, and to corporate accounts for promotional purposes. The Company sells through more than 20,000 retail outlets located in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
