Debut of Autographed Race-Used Lugnut Cards Highlights Press Pass ® Optima 2002

August 27, 2002 Charlotte, N.C - After last year's introduction of the innovative two-sided Race-Used Lugnut card, Press Pass has found yet another way to add more collectibility to its memorabilia cards. This year, for the first time, Autographed Race-Used Lugnut cards have been added to Press Pass Optima.

In Press Pass Optima 2002, collectors will have the opportunity to chase Autographed Race-Used Lugnut cards from top drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Mark Martin. These cards are extremely rare being numbered to each driver's car door number (hobby only). In addition to the Autographed Race-Used Lugnut cards, Press Pass Optima 2002 offers one of the largest memorabilia card line-ups with 18 regular Race-Used Lugnut drivers to collect. A cutting edge card design allows the lugnut slice to be viewed from both the front and the back of the card. There are two distinct versions to collect. The hobby version features an image of the driver (1:160 packs) and the retail version features an image of the car (1:360 packs).

"We constantly strive to add more fun and value to our products, and adding an autographed version of our race-used lugnut cards is our next step in providing the collector with additional autograph and memorabilia options," explained Tom Farrell, Director of Marketing for Press Pass, a division of Racing Champions (NASDAQ: RACN).

The Press Pass Signings program continues in Press Pass Optima 2002 and features autographs from over 70 NASCAR drivers and legends (1:96 hobby packs and 1:240 retail packs). There is a limited hobby-only Gold Signings version signed in gold and numbered to 50 as well as Trans Signings, featuring autographs from 8 top drivers on plastic and numbered to 100.

Press Pass Optima 2002 consists of a 50-card base set and several new inserts for 2002. Product release is slated for October 15th.

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.

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