Press Pass® 2002 Basketball includes Yao Ming Game-Used Jersey Cards

August 1, 2002 - Charlotte, NC - Press Pass 2002 Basketball, which began shipping July 26th, offers the first opportunity to collect limited edition game-used jersey cards of #1 overall pick, Yao Ming of China. "Just before we began production of finished cases, we were thrilled to secure a game-used Shanghai Sharks jersey from Yao Ming. Due to the last minute arrival, we were not able to produce and include the actual cards in the packs. However, in order to give all collectors an equal opportunity, we inserted redemption cards for the Yao jersey," said Tom Farrell, director of marketing for Press Pass, a division of Racing Champions (NASDAQ:RACN). The game-used jersey is currently being processed and finished cards will be available for immediate redemption for collectors. Redemption cards were inserted throughout the entire hobby and retail production run.

In addition to Yao Ming, Press Pass 2002 Basketball offers game-used jersey cards of 2002 draft picks Jay Williams, Drew Gooden, Carlos Boozer, Freddie Jones, Dan Gadzuric, Sam Clancy, and Darius Songaila. Press Pass 2002 Basketball includes three levels of jersey cards (college, pro, and pro/college combo) 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).

Certified Authentic Autograph cards of Yao Ming and others can be found at a rate of one in every six hobby packs. 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 (Cleveland), Steve Francis (Houston), Quentin Richardson (Los Angeles), and Mike Miller (Orlando). Press Pass 2002 Basketball boasts four levels of autograph cards to chase.

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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