Official SCF Review: 2009 Press Pass VIP Racing

[Enigma]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Press Pass for providing us with this box to review.



24 packs per box
5 cards per pack
SRP: 74.99 - 84.99


Press Pass VIP 2009 focuses on the all-stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 90-card base set will include subsets that highlight this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star race along with highlights from the 25-year history of the event!

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:
- One Autograph & One Memorabilia Card In Every Hobby Box - New For 2009!
- Memorabilia Cards: Get A Grip - Race-Used Glove Cards, Rookie Stripes & Rookie Stripes Autos; Lead Foot - Race-Used Shoe Cards And Race Day Gear - Three Swatches Of Driver Worn Memorabilia - Firesuit, Glove And Shoe - 1:24
- Press Pass Signings - Four Levels Of Autographs To Collect, Gold, Orange, Purple And A Hobby-Only Green Version - 1:24
- Rookie Stripes - Authentic Race-Used Rookie Memorabilia Card Features Swatches Of The Yellow Tape That All Rookie Drivers Are Required To Have On Their Rear Bumpers...Seq. #'d To 100!
- 90 Card Base Set!

HALF CASE INSERT SUMMARY
- Press Pass Signings: 10 Per Half Case
- Get A Grip, Lead Foot, Rookie Stripes And Race Day Gear: Combined 10 Per Half Case
- Get A Grip Signature Series, Get A Grip Logo Edition, Lead Foot Logo Edition, Rookie Stripes Autos & Four Wide: Combined 1 Per Half Case
- Plastic Insert Parallels: 23 Per Half Case

NEW FOR 2009 - Two Hits PER BOX - Every Hobby Box will have 1 RACE-USED MEMORABILIA CARD and 1 AUTOGRAPH CARD!
Press Pass VIP is the only product that includes a comprehensive roster of race-used glove cards (Get A Grip) and race-used shoe cards (Lead Foot). Look for Logo Edition Oversized Memorabilia Cards featuring pieces of glove and shoe manufacture logos and marks. Also look for Race Day Gear Cards containing swatches of race-used firesuit, glove, and shoe from six top drivers!

The Press Pass Signings Autograph Program is exclusive to Press Pass VIP and Press Pass Stealth and includes five distinct levels to collect differentiated by metallic ink color, including four numbered levels. Also look for Rare Press Plate Autographs!



WHAT WE PULLED

VIDEO



Base - 86/90 (96%)
Dupes - 15





After Party (4) - Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon
After Party Trans (2) - Jimmie Johnson, David Reutimann



Guest List (8) - AJ Allmendinger, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, David Reutimann, David Stremme, Casey Mears, Denny Hamlin



Hardware (3) - Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle
Hardward Trans (1) - Kevin Harvick



Get A Grip Tony Stewart RU Glove /120



Press Pass Signings Bobby Labonte Auto /65



Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4.5/5
Fun: 5/5
Overall design: 5/5
Value: 3.5/5
Re-buy: 3.5/5

Overall: 21.5/25 (86%)


Press Pass has done extensive work over the last year to change up the designs on many of its releases. Kudos to them for not sticking to same designs year in and year out like other companies. Using the same basic designs make products boring and sometimes hard to differentiate between the years.

This year's installment drives home a feel of the motion picture industry. With subsets such as Red Carpet and All-Star Awards, it gives a sense of being at the Oscar or Academy Awards. Even the Red Carpet cards are designed with film in mind. However, the drawback to the base set is that you do not get a complete set. Falling four cards short would be fine, except when you get fifteen duplicates. As mentioned many times, how hard is it to ensure the complete set if you are going to have enough duplicates already to cover it.

I love the short and simple approach to inserts by Press Pass. There are only three insert sets, though two have a second variation (Trans series). The regular version of the card is on holofoil board while the Trans version is opaque and sometimes see through (transparent). This makes for a great series of chase sets while not having to break the bank to complete them. Also, I enjoy how the inserts continue the theme of the main set instead of going in their own direction.

I've always been a huge fan of the Get A Grip series. As a collector of cards, I prefer getting something a driver more than likely used in a race than something the driver was asked to put on during a photo shoot or just for the sake of creating a card.

As mentioned previously, VIP has a nice new look that is eye-catching. It adds excitement to when you open the packs as the design grabs your attention. Though VIP has a lot to offer, it could be a strain on the wallet for what you get in return. If looking based solely on "hits", then this is not for you. With just a memorabilia and an auto card on average, it's a hard pill to swallow. But for the collecting purists, this one is worthwhile as not only do you get those cards, you get a nice looking base set and a great start towards putting together some fantastic insert sets.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Press Pass for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. If interested in more information on VIP or other products, be sure to check them out today at www.presspassinc.com.

[htwheelz01]

Nice pull on the Smoke.

[doniceage]

2 nice pulls for sure. nice vid.

Don

[Captngeetch]

They Look pretty nice...the colors really Pop....looks like you had a couple nice hits too on the glove and auto...Thanx Press Pass for providing the box for review

[rksnascards]

Enjoyed the video.....former team mates pull (Stewart and Labonte)...congrats!

Hopefully I will pick up a box or two this weekend.

[JKC]

Very nice break and review. VIP is one of my favorite racing releases each year. I like the design of the cards this year. Keep up the great work, Press Pass! Also, thank you, Press Pass, for providing this for break and review!

Darin

[garnett_21]

Nice break and review! Lots of inserts! Too bad the base set couldn't be completed though, especially considering there were so many dupes. Thanks, Press Pass!