Racing Champions' Internet "Racing Shop" Expands Collector Base

Business Wire, June 9, 1998

GLEN ELLYN, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1998--Racing Champions Corporation (NASDAQ:RACN) As the popularity of one of America's favorite spectator sports, NASCAR racing, has grown in recent years, so have the die-cast collectible lines of NASCAR racing replicas which Racing Champions manufactures and markets. The popularity of the Company's highly sought-after NASCAR collectibles is also spreading to the Internet.

To accommodate the growing number of requests from collectors, and to further expand its collector base, Racing Champions has opened its "Racing Shop" at the Company's website located at www.racingchamps.com on the Internet. Unique collectibles may be purchased by collectors directly through the website.

Initial offerings on the www.racingchamps.com website include a special five car set of 24 karat gold NASCAR 50th Anniversary collectibles. In addition, John Deere has authorized Racing Champions to offer a special John Deere Race Car collectible for a limited time.

According to Pete Henseler, Vice President of Marketing for Racing Champions, "The primary goal of our Internet site is to provide collectors with timely information that supports Racing Champions' products sold through thousands of retail stores across the country. However, with our www.racingchamps.com website registering more than five million hits per month, it makes sense to offer special collectibles on the Internet, as well."

Henseler continued, "We have surveyed tens of thousands of our website visitors and one of their most frequent requests is to have the ability to acquire special Racing Champions collectibles directly through the web. This new on-line store will begin to provide our website visitors more opportunities to do business with Racing Champions."

Henseler concluded, "The rapid growth in the number of our website visitors has demonstrated that the Internet will play a significant role in expanding our collector base in the future. Responding to collector input, we have expanded the site almost monthly. The opening of an on-line shop is yet another way we continue to build our collector base and brand equity. We are confident that our efforts will create additional opportunities for Racing Champions to enhance customer satisfaction."

Founded in 1989, Racing Champions (NASDAQ:RACN) is a leading producer and marketer of collectibles available at more than 20,000 retail outlets throughout North America. The company is best known for its extensive line of officially licensed die-cast replicas from the five most popular U.S. racing series, including NASCAR. Information on Racing Champions and its product lines can be found at www.racingchamps.com on the Internet.

Forward looking statements in this release are subject to many uncertainties in the Company's operations and business environment. These uncertainties include general economic conditions, demand for the Company's products, competition, availability of certain licensed properties and costs of operations. Such uncertainties and other operational matters are discussed further in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   CONTACT: Racing Champions Corporation
             Curt Stoelting, 704/662-6442, x 121