Action Performance Signs Comprehensive Licensing Agreement With NASCAR Champion Bill Elliott

Business Wire, Jan 24, 2000

Business Editors

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2000

Action Performance Companies Inc. (Nasdaq: ACTN) Monday announced that it has signed a licensing and endorsement agreement with NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary of driving in the Winston Cup series.

Under the terms of the contract, Action Performance obtains the rights to license and distribute a complete line of licensed merchandise including die-cast collectible cars, apparel items and other memorabilia for Elliott, driver and owner of the No. 94 McDonalds Winston Cup car. The agreement will extend through 2000.

&uot;We're extremely pleased to announce this agreement and we look forward to working with Bill Elliott Racing and McDonalds to kick off the millennium season with merchandise programs that will commemorate Bill's milestone racing anniversary, and make high quality products available for the fans,&uot; said Fred Wagenhals, Action chairman, president and chief executive officer.

&uot;In my 25-year Winston Cup career, I've really learned to appreciate the loyalty of the fans,&uot; said Elliott. &uot;I'm pleased that my relationship with Action Performance will give fans an opportunity to have collectible merchandise with the quality and value they deserve.&uot;

Fans will be able to purchase Bill Elliott collectible and commemorative merchandise at trackside sales locations and through Action's established distribution channels. Related Hasbro Winner's Circle(R) products will be available through mass retail outlets.

Action Performance Companies Inc. is the leader in the design, marketing, promotion and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. Its products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast car replica collectibles, apparel, souvenirs, and other memorabilia.

The company markets and distributes products through a variety of channels, including the 170,000-member Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA), online at goracing.com, trackside at racing events, mass retail department stores, and a worldwide network of wholesale distributors and specialty dealers.

Action Performance recently was ranked No. 24 on both Fortune magazine's list of &uot;100 Fastest Growing Companies&uot; (September 1999) and Forbes magazine's list of &uot;200 Best Small Companies&uot; (November 1999).