Racebricks adds Herbert for 2006

Racebricks adds Herbert to 2006 racing family

LINCOLNTON, N.C. (Dec. 27, 2005) -- Racebricks Collectibles announced its sponsorship plans Monday, providing Doug Herbert and the Snap-on Tools Top Fuel team with a major associate sponsorship deal, it was announced Monday by Racebricks CEO Marty Yacoobian.

Racebricks has extended its primary sponsorship deal with veteran Funny Car favorite Gary Densham through the 2006 season as well.

"After a very fast start in NASCAR, becoming an officially licensed product and working with a bunch of teams over there, Gary Densham provided us with a great entry into the NHRA drag racing marketplace and its rapidly-growing fan base," Yacoobian said. "We were so happy to see this area develop for us because my true love is NHRA. Gary is so likable and he did a great job for us and now we're adding Doug Herbert to the equation. It's a real thrill."

Densham and Herbert will share more than an affiliation with Racebricks, which manufactures three-dimensional, laser-etched racecars inside illuminated glass bricks. Densham and his Racebricks team will now benefit from the use of Snap-on Tools, and the veteran duo will pit side-by-side and share a double sized hospitality area at selected races for guests of both Snap-on Tools and Racebricks.

Snap-on Tools has provided Herbert with major sponsorship for more than a decade and will remain the primary sponsor for at least another three years. With eight NHRA victories to his name, Herbert is hoping the additional sponsor will help guide him into winner's circle more often.

"Marty is on-the-gas at all times," the 37-year-old Herbert said. "He's always got something going on and he's a very positive individual. He worked together with my crew chief, Wayne Dupuy, in the past on Darrell Russell's car when Marty owned Bilstein Engine Flush so it already feels like he's been a longtime friend of the team.

"He recently flew out to our shop here in Lincolnton (N.C.) and by the end of the day we had a deal in place. He wants to win the championship as much as we do and we really feel like his involvement with the team will help us reach the elite level of the sport. We showed how close we were last year after Wayne joined us in St. Louis. Only Tony Schumacher scored more points than us down the stretch so we know we can contend."

Densham -- a veteran Funny Car driver with eight national event wins -- said he was happy the extension was announced early. The team, he said, has been working to ensure the team is ready for a great performance in the season-opening event in Pomona.

"Obviously we're thrilled that Marty has enough faith in us to extend this deal," Densham, a 59-year-old from Bellflower, Calif., said. "I think our team came a long way last year after starting the season with nothing and none of it would have been possible without Marty's help. Hopefully we'll get him a few wins this time through and we'll keep that cash register ringing over there at Racebricks.com.

"It's a real kick to join the Snap-on team. They've been around a long time, and they've been with Doug a long time also, so we'll do our best to represent them well. I look forward to spending some time with their people all around the country."

Herbert and Yacoobian were formally introduced at the Denver race in 2005. Racebricks already has a Doug Herbert design for sale, touting last year's Snap-on Tools 85th Anniversary paint scheme, and plans several more special designs in 2006.

Densham and Herbert will have similar paint schemes on their trailers and racecars, which will be unveiled before Pomona. They will continue to share a merchandise trailer that will be stocked with Racebricks for each national event. Currently, Racebricks sells collectables of Herbert, Densham, Whit Bazemore, John Force, Ron Capps, and Gary Scelzi. Their next addition will be the U.S. Army dragster of Tony Schumacher.

"I'm happy to welcome Gary and his wife Joanne to our Snap-on family," Herbert said. "They'll fit in great with us and I know the Snap-on dealers and customers across the U.S. will love them. So many of us have grown up watching Gary Densham and he's always been a cool dude."

-rbr-