Join the Gang
Action Performance helps unveil first Victory Junction Gang Camp "camper"
race car
NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, co-founder of the Victory Junction Gang Camp, today
formally unveiled a special "camper" race car created specifically for
Victory Junction Gang Camp and designed by 7-year-old Haleigh Epperson. The trackside
event included a full-size showcar version of the Victory Junction Gang Camp
2004 "Epperson" Dodge as well as its die-cast collectible counterpart.
Action Performance Companies Inc., the leader in the design, promotion,
marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise, produced the
die-cast collectible version of the specialty vehicle, which also will be made
available in a variety of collector scales. Proceeds from the sales of these
Victory Junction Gang fantasy race cars will be funneled directly back to the
camp.
The die-cast is the first of what will become an annual tradition for the
Victory Junction Gang campers. Action Performance is donating generic die-cast
race car bodies that the children will be decorating during their arts and
crafts activities. A panel of NASCAR drivers then will select the "best
design" from among the cars, which will become the basis for a fantasy die-cast
collectible.
Eppersons car design commemorates the grand opening of the Victory Junction
Gang Camp, which is slated for June 2004. The Petty blue-and-yellow car also
features the official Victory Junction Gang logo on the hood and its status as a
NASCAR charity is spotlighted on the decklid.
"I am extremely proud of the job that Haleigh did as the first-ever car
designer for Victory Junction," said Kyle Petty, driver of the No. 45 Dodge and
CEO of Petty Enterprises. "All of us at Victory Junction and Petty Enterprises
are excited to see the die-cast, especially since the car is honoring something
so important. The grand opening of Victory Junction Gang Camp means so much to
my family and to these special kids who deserve their own place to play. I hope
race fans will join us in purchasing these collectibles and, in a small way,
sharing the Victory Junction Gang Camp experience."
Epperson, who was extremely excited to see her car design selected as the
first-ever Victory Junction Gang Camp fantasy collectible, added: "I had a
really fun time making the race car for camp, and I hope the car will raise
money. Victory Junction Camp needs a lot of help because it will be a great
place for children to run around and have fun. When people buy this car, I think
they will love it and want to join the Victory Junction Gang."
Victory Junction Gang Camp is modeled after the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps
originated by actor Paul Newman that provide a free-of-charge camping experience
for children fighting illnesses such as cancer, sickle-cell anemia, HIV and
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The Petty family started the camp as a tribute to
Kyle and Patties late son, Adam. It resides among 72 acres of woodlands in
Randleman, N.C. and includes accommodations for campers as well as medical
facilities, an arts and crafts center, a gym and a race shop.
"Victory Junction Gang Camp is a testament to the vision and devotion that the
Petty family share," noted Fred Wagenhals, Actions chairman, president and CEO.
"Victory Junction Gang Camp is a heartfelt tribute to Adam Petty, and it surely
will enhance the lives of countless children, who will have the chance to have
fun and make new friends in a camp built especially for them. I am honored that
Action Performance is producing the first camper edition die-cast designed by
Haleigh Epperson, and I look forward to many more creative die-cast designs from
some very special kids."
The Victory Junction Gang Camp 2004 "Epperson" Dodge will be available through
Actions standard distribution channels, including the 17-member Action Racing
Collectables distributor network and Racing Collectables Club of America. To locate an
ARC distributor, please call 1-800-411-8404. To join RCCA, call 1-800-952-0708 or visit
goracing.com. For more information
about Victory Junction Gang Camp and how to make a contribution, visit
www.victoryjunction.org.
Source: Action Performance Companies Inc.
Date: May 27, 2004
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