WHEELS® AMERICAN THUNDER CONTINUES
IT'S TRADITION OF FUN AND EXCITEMENT IN 2004

September 9, 2004 Charlotte, N.C. - Wheels American Thunder is back for the second consecutive year with all the characteristics of originality, quality and creativity that collectors have come to expect from this premium brand. This tradition of excellence continues in 2004 with a newly extended 90-card base set to create a product packed full of fun and value.

"We believe Wheels fans will be thrilled with the second release of American Thunder, which includes a new interactive game, Cup Quest", said Mandy Kirkland, Product Manager for Press Pass, a division of RC2 (NASDAQ: RCRC). "With the excitement of the new NASCAR points system and Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, we have developed a scratch-n-win game to follow the drivers who may be competing for the 2004 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship and give collectors the opportunity to receive a full set of the final 2004 NASCAR Top 10 drivers. With our extensive memorabilia program and new programs like Cup Quest, American Thunder promises to be as innovative and exciting as its first release in 2003."

Wheels American Thunder includes a 90-card base set and features five different and innovative memorabilia cards (average 1:10), Triple Hat includes three different driver-worn hat swatches 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: American Eagle, a silver foil, etched insert stamped on foil (1:6), and Golden Eagle a hobby only very rare version sequentially numbered to 250. American MuscleTM (1:10) a plastic etched insert with foil stamping. Cup Quest (1:20) is an all new scratch-n-win game of 12 top drivers racing for the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. Rounding out the set is Postmark, a 27 card mini die-cut set-within-a-set (1:2). Wheels American Thunder provides collectors with super premium 24 pt. card stock that features exciting designs and superior printing technologies. Product release date is September 8, 2004.

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.