October 14, 2003 Charlotte, N.C. - The Press Pass Signings autograph program is the longest running and most comprehensive NASCAR autograph program in history. This year's program features over 70 different racers and legends from Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Richard Petty. For the first time ever, one lucky collector will win a full set of 2003 Press Pass Signings autograph cards in the Press Pass Signings Contest featured only in 2003 Press Pass® Optima. Releasing in mid October, 2003 Press Pass ® Optima brings the collector closer to the action as the 2003 NASCAR championship title chase heats up. The addition of the Press Pass Signings Contest is only one of the reasons that make 2003 Press Pass® Optima a set worth collecting.

The successful Signature Series program continues in 2003 Press Pass® Optima with Signature Series Thunder Bolts, autographed race-used lugnut cards featuring such drivers as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and current points leader Matt Kenseth. Each Signature Series Thunder Bolts card is sequentially numbered to the driver's door number. Also, there are driver edition (1:180, hobby only) and team edition (1:240, retail only) Thunder Bolts to collect featuring race-used lugnuts from 18 of the most successful teams in NASCAR. Collectors can also look forward to finding NASCAR Busch Series memorabilia cards. Top Prospect race-used memorabilia cards feature the first ever memorabilia cards from such future stars as Brian Vickers and Scott Riggs. There are four different cards to collect from each driver (1:130, hobby only). The 2003 Press Pass Signings program concludes in Press Pass Optima 2003 and features autographs from over 70 NASCAR drivers and legends (1:84 hobby packs and 1:196 retail packs).

"Press Pass Optima is the last 2003 Press Pass product commemorating our 10th anniversary," stated Tom Farrell, Director of Marketing for Press Pass, a division of RC2 (NASDAQ: RCRC). "This product features four levels of autograph cards as well as an exciting chance to win an autograph card of every driver."

Press Pass Optima 2003 consists of a 50-card base set and Fan Favorite, a 27-card "set-within-a-set", that features information on each driver's fan club and website. In addition to autographs and memorabilia there are several exciting inserts to collect, including the Dale Earnhardt "10th Anniversary" Series, featuring special replicas of Dale Earnhardt's greatest Press Pass cards ever produced. Product release is October 14th.

RC2 (www.rc2corp.com) is a leading producer and marketer of high quality, innovative collectibles and toys targeted at adult collectors and children, as measured by sales and brand recognition. The Company's diverse product offerings include: agricultural, construction and outdoor sports vehicle replicas; automotive, high performance and racing vehicle replicas; traditional children's toys; sports trading cards and 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®, Learning Curve™, American Muscle™, AMT®, W. Britain®, Press Pass®, Eden™, Feltkids® and JoyRide Studios™. The Company supports its brands and enhances the authenticity of its products by linking them with highly recognized licensed properties from John Deere, Harley-Davidson, HIT Entertainment, Lamaze, Case, Polaris, Honda, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, NASCAR, NHRA, Texaco, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, DIC Entertainment, Nintendo, Sega, Electronic Arts and Microsoft. The Company's products are marketed through multiple channels of distribution, including chain retailers, specialty and hobby wholesalers and retailers, OEM dealers, corporate accounts for promotional purposes and direct to consumers. The Company sells through more than 20,000 retail outlets located in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.