Press Pass® 2002 Basketball to Feature First Autographs of Yao Ming and other top picks

July 17, 2002 - Charlotte, NC - Press Pass will feature three levels of autograph cards from overall #1 pick, Yao Ming of China. "We are excited to be able to offer collectors the first autographs of Yao. Additionally, we hope to secure a game-used jersey. If we are unable to secure a game-used jersey, rest assured that no other 'draft pick' product will have one. We have been contractually assured that if any product contains a Yao jersey, it will be Press Pass," said Tom Farrell, director of marketing for Press Pass, a division of Racing Champions (NASDAQ:RACN). To add to the excitement there will be more autographs and jersey cards found in Press Pass 2002 Basketball than in any previous Press Pass Basketball draft pick product.

Certified Authentic Autograph cards can be found at a rate of one in every six hobby packs. Press Pass 2002 Basketball boasts four levels of autograph cards to chase. In addition to Ming, autograph cards feature signatures from dozens of players in this year's draft including #2 pick Jay Williams, #3 pick Mike Dunleavy (a Press Pass exclusive for non-NBA licensed "draft pick" products), #4 pick Drew Gooden, as well as select coaches and up-and-coming pro stars, including Darius Miles (Los Angeles), Steve Francis (Houston), Quentin Richardson (Los Angeles), and Mike Miller (Orlando).

Press Pass 2002 Basketball offers three levels of jersey cards and an all-new Game-Used Shoe Card. The combined insert rate for game-used jersey cards is 1:60 packs. The Game-Used Shoe Cards feature pieces of shoes worn in pro games by talented young players (numbered to 40). "Press Pass offers what may be the only college game-used jersey cards ever produced of many of these rookie prospects. Compared to the vast number of pro jersey cards that will inevitably follow, these cards are destined to become some of the rarest game-used jersey cards ever produced of this rookie class. Additionally, it is important to note that Press Pass' college jerseys are game-used, unlike some other competitive jersey cards which may contain jersey swatches that are merely 'authentic' or 'player worn'," said Farrell. Product release is slated for late July.

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.