WHEELS® INTRODUCES
WHEELS AMERICAN THUNDER NASCAR TRADING CARDS
May 13, 2003 Charlotte, N.C. - NASCAR collectors and fans
of Wheels Race Cards will be excited to learn that Wheels is introducing
its first new release since 1998 with Wheels American Thunder.
Wheels American Thunder represents all the characteristics
of originality, quality and creativity that established Wheels as
a premium brand for NASCAR trading cards. This tradition of excellence
continues with the introduction of Wheels American Thunder;
a product packed full of fun and value. "We believe Wheels
fans will be thrilled with the new innovations and creativity found
in Wheels American Thunder. One of the unique characteristics
of past Wheels products has been developing a product with theme.
We've had a lot of fun reminiscing about the early days at Wheels
since we started utilizing themes for race cards back in 1994. You
will find an "Americana" theme running throughout Wheels
American Thunder. This product has all the qualities Wheels
collectors have always enjoyed and should be very appealing to new
collectors as well", explains Miles Atkins, Sr. Marketing Manager
for Wheels Race Cards, a brand of Racing Champions ERTL (NASDAQ:
RACN). "In addition to multiple types of memorabilia cards,
and Wheels Authentic Autographs (1:18 hobby, 1:240 retail), Rookie
Class 2003 (1:24) is an interactive redemption insert will offer
collectors the opportunity to win additional cards and memorabilia
from Wheels.
Wheels American Thunder includes a 50-card base set and features
nine different and innovative memorabilia cards (average 1:18),
Heads-Up features four different driver-worn hats worn by
drivers during the 2003 Daytona Speedweeks; Triple Hat includes
three different hat versions on one card; Pushin' Pedal features
race-used driver shoes; Cool Threads contains an actual piece
of race-used shirt worn under the driver's firesuit and Head
To Toe includes both driver-worn hat and race-used shoes. Collectors
will also find Thunder Road (1:18), an 18-card memorabilia
insert designed with a special texture coating technology that utilizes
race-used tires.
Other inserts include the second 2003 Wheels insert honoring Dale
Earnhardt; "Retrospective Series" which features collectors'
favorite Dale Earnhardt Wheels cards (1:72). Hobby only gold foil
stamped versions are sequentially numbered to 250. In addition,
collectors will find American Eagle, a silver foil insert
stamped on foil (1:18), and Golden Eagle a hobby only very
rare version sequentially numbered to 100. American MuscleTM
(1:12) and Postmark (1:18) are plastic inserts containing
multiple layers of foil stamping. Rookie Class 2003 (1:24)
is an all new redemption program that includes the newest crop of
rookies in the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series of 2003 and features
the 2002 NASCAR WC Raybestos Rookie of the Year Ryan Newman and
Busch Series Rookie of the year, Scott Riggs. Rounding out the set
is Rookie ThunderTM, a 36 card set-within-a-set (1:1). Wheels
American Thunder provides collectors with super premium 24 pt.
card stock that features exciting designs and superior printing
technologies. Product release date is May 13, 2003.
Racing Champions (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 offering includes 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 our products by linking them with highly recognized
licensed properties including NASCAR, NHRA, John Deere, 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.
