Wheels High Gear 2003 Captures NASCAR Action From Flag to Flag!

December 11 , 2002 Charlotte, N.C - Wheels High Gear 2003 kicks off the new year with electrifying changes to two of the most popular Wheels inserts, Flag Chasers and Custom Shop, and the return of last year's successful contest, Wheels Flag Chasesr Power Pick.

2003 marks a significant change to Flag Chasers, the featured event-used memorabilia insert found in Wheels High Gear products since 1999. Not only has the roster of drivers in this event-used memorabilia card doubled from five to ten, but the odds of pulling one of these coveted cards has improved by over 100%. Flag Chasers can be found in 1:180 hobby packs and 1:240 retail packs. Now collectors will have a better opportunity to obtain all seven flag versions of top NASCAR Winston Cup drivers such as Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Jamie McMurray.

Custom Shop, the interactive insert that allows collectors to custom design their own trading cards, has been an important part of the Wheels High Gear line-up since 1998. In Wheels High Gear 2003, for the first time ever, there will be an autographed version available. Custom Shop Autographs are rare autographed versions; a total of 30 per driver will be signed.

After a successful debut, The Flag Chaser Power Pick Contest returns in Wheels High Gear 2003, with a one-of-a-kind Autographed Flag signed by top NASCAR Winston Cup drivers.

"Wheels High Gear has enjoyed success as the longest running Wheels Brand," explained Tom Farrell, director of marketing for Press Pass, a division of Racing Champions (NASDAQ: RACN). "By adding more autographs and event-used memorabilia, we take Wheels High Gear 2003 to the next level."

Other highlights of Wheels High Gear 2003 include Wheels Authentic Autographs, featuring dozens of top NASCAR drivers; a 72-card base set printed on 24 point card stock, and nine levels of inserts. Product release is slated for January 21st.
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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