Action Performance: On the Clock; New Die-Cast Creations for the Grand American Rolex 24 at Daytona

Business Wire, Jan 27, 2004

Business Editors

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2004

Action Performance Companies Inc., the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise, today announced plans to release a limited edition series of specialty Daytona Prototype collectible racing replicas. The cars will be reproduced to mirror those that are slated to appear in the 2004 Grand American Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race at Daytona International Speedway starting January 31 and ending exactly 24 hours later on Feb. 1, 2004.

This year's version of the Rolex 24 has a decidedly NASCAR(R) feel, with four active NASCAR(R) Nextel Cup drivers taking on the endurance race challenge. Both Dale Earnhardt Jr., who ran the Rolex 24 in 2001 with his father Dale Earnhardt and veteran road racers Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins, and Tony Stewart have teamed aboard the No. 2 Crawford Racing Chevrolet Crawford DP03.

The Crawford DP03 chassis is one of a few that are approved for the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Drivers Jimmie Johnson, of No. 4 The Boss Snowplow team, and Robby Gordon, who will compete as part of the No. 09 Spirit of Daytona Racing team, also will make appearances on the sports car series, with each team showcasing Daytona Prototype vehicles that use the Crawford DP03 chassis. The teams will be featured with primary sponsorship from CITGO, a refiner and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, refined waxes, asphalt and other industrial products.

Action Performance will produce die-cast replicas of the official No. 2, No. 4 and No. 09 Daytona Prototype race cars. Each replica die-cast race car will be available through Action's usual distribution channels, including the 18-member Action Racing Collectables distributor network and Racing Collectables Club of America. To locate an ARC distributor, please call 1-800-411-8404. To join RCCA, call 1-800-952-0708 or visit www.goracing.com.

"With the array of new and varied races on the 2004 racing season schedules, collectors and race fans are sure to discover new ways to expand their traditional die-cast replica collections," noted Fred W. Wagenhals, Action's chairman, president and CEO. "The futuristic Daytona Prototype models that comprise the Grand American Rolex 24 at Daytona event offer a diverse way to change up any collection, and the fact that talented, young and recognized drivers will be behind the wheel of these interesting machines ensures added appeal for a challenging racing series."

About Action Performance Companies:

Action Performance Companies Inc. (NYSE: ATN) is the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. The Company's products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast replica collectibles, apparel, souvenirs and other sports-inspired memorabilia. Action Performance markets and distributes products through a variety of channels including the Action Racing Collectables network of wholesale distributors, the Racing Collectables Club of America, QVC, goracing.com, trackside at racing events, direct corporate promotions, mass retail and department stores, specialty dealers and select online retailers. For more information about Action Performance and its many subsidiaries, please visit the company's corporate Web site at www.action-performance.com.