2006 Wheels High Gear CONTEST - WINNER ANNOUNCED

[GasMaster02]

I really love the mixture of past/present drivers. The insert sets look nice. I especially like the Carmeleon set. The one thing that may set this set back some is that the only memoribilia piece included are flags. Flags aren't the hottest of collectible but are nice pieces to have. Something interesting to possibly consider is to make cards with parts of the engine in them.

[dlong1]

It's been a few years since I opened any racing. This years Wheels looks great. In prior year it was low end along with the inserts. I love the new look and inserts, they don't have that $1 pack look. The vintage Auto's are awesome. I would love to pull a King Richard. What would be a great addition to any of the Press Pass sets would be an Auto/Checkered Flag from the race that the driver won. I've seen all the other race used cards, but my believe is that a card like that would be getting the collector closer to sport.

Dan

[jendancox]

I really like Wheels products, both the High Gear and the American Thunder series. I would like to see something different in HG, maybe on the Checkered Flag series, have an autograph. They only did 3 of the Checkered Flags for the drivers (all in the set, if I am not mistaken), so think of the demand for those cards. As a long time fan of NASCAR (over 20 years) and collector (over 10 years) I don't pursue the flags as much as I do the firesuits, hats, shoes, even pitboards and sheetmetal. However, I think changing up the flags would help, like adding an auto to it. It doesn't have to be just the Checkered one, maybe something else, maybe on one color do like the signature series, number it to the driver's door.

Also, the card stock is thicker more rigid card stock, that I like a lot. Keep that going with both HG and AT. I can't stand the thinner card stock of some of the other releases, the corners get dinged so easily (ie, PP Optima Fan Favorite cards).

I do like the idea of putting in more Historical drivers, maybe like VIP's past and present series. I really liked how those were done. Or maybe something similar to the Legends series. Or something totally different, but I think that they really should be a part of the series, just don't over produce cards with the same pictures.

One last thing, I think there should be more involvement in all releases of the Rookies from each series. Also, I think more involvement of up and coming stars of the Busch North and West series as well as the other series, including ARCA is needed. NASCAR encompasses more than just Nextel and Busch racing. Those guys driving in the smaller series are the drivers we'll root for in the bigger series soon. If it means we loose some of the tribute cards, like Carmeleon or some of the car cards, I don't think the majority of the fans will mind.


That is what I think. I really like the Wheels releases, I think they are very well done.

[Davz13]

I myself really like the Flag Chasers insert. I had to look some of these up on ebay, and maybe i'll be purchasing one soon. Than I saw the checkered #/3 and wow...that would be awesome to pull one of those. I know it isn't "used" by the racer, but I love memorabilia pieces that are different than the norm (End Zone Pylons, Stadium Seats, Hockey Boards, etc.), so this really sparked my interest.

I also liked the top tier insert. How the drivers' rank lit up on the board. Going to a few races myself, I love checking out the board, seeing it change when the drivers pass the line, and seeing them keep up with the everchanging positions. Therefore, i am drawn to this insert in particular.

I also like the look of the Carmeleon: showing how a driver has different paint jobs in different races. I love seeing special paint jobs for different events, and it is a good idea to highlight this fact.

So, i'll be on the lookout for the flag chasers insert, and i'll end up giving this product an A

[sgmco]

Very nice set--Quality printing and photography.

Suggestions
1) Flag Chasers--Would like to see the #'s and flag colors printed on back of card and more full photos of drivers with a different backround. I would like to see different levels of subsets to this subset. For example one with checkered backround #'d to 5, White backround #'d to 10, etc. with each backround color featuring a different photo and an autograph here and ther to add to the uniqueness of them.

2) Power Pick--great idea

3) Wheel Authentis Autos--Like the B&W photos plus the fact that the autos are on the card and not a sticker.

4) Daytona Winners--Nice cards--would add an auto here and there

5) Full Throttle--Nice looking cards

6) Top Tier--Do not like look of the card

7) Man and Machine--Would do away with this and add a "Raced Used" version (on average 1 per Box) featuring driver and car used materials with another version featuring both car and driver used.

8) Zero Card--Nice looking and rare- A Winner

9) Flag to Flag--Nice looking card that gives the average collector a set within a set that will be fairly easy to complete.

10) MPH--Yet another set within a set. The plus is that they are limited to 100 (could add a couple 1/1's in there--prople love those). I don't really like the backround, to many color patterns tend to distract from the stars on the cards--the cars.

Quality cards which in my opinion could used a few changes. Seems to be to many sets within the set. I would like to see less subsets and more limited versions of the remaining subsets. Instead of 9 or 10 subsets to collect I'd like to see about 4 subsets. Also like to see ultra rare cards of these subsets included on a limited basis (1/1"s #'d to 25//50//etc). This would give the subset junkies what they need and yet won't make the average collector feel he or she cannot complete all the subsets. Would also like less distracting backrounds on photos.

[TeamKansas]

On behalf of the entire TR staff I would like to personally thank each and everyone of you for the input for this great product. But after much debate by the staff I would like to announce that Billy Kingsley was chosen from all of the entries. CONGRATULATIONS Billy!!!!

Thanks again, Joe

PS - Billy please PM me your shipping info and I will get this package out to you right away.

[jonsportscardz]

congrats bill.

[Davz13]

congrats!

[Billy Kingsley]

Boy, I am so thankfull that I was chosen, I can't even put it in words...I didn't come on the board for a few days and when I came back on and saw the PM from Joe, I was shocked speechless!

Thanks to the TR staff and to the folks at Press Pass!