WHEELS® INTRODUCES
WHEELS AMERICAN THUNDER NASCAR TRADING CARDS

May 13, 2003 Charlotte, N.C. - NASCAR collectors and fans of Wheels Race Cards will be excited to learn that Wheels is introducing its first new release since 1998 with Wheels American Thunder. Wheels American Thunder represents all the characteristics of originality, quality and creativity that established Wheels as a premium brand for NASCAR trading cards. This tradition of excellence continues with the introduction of Wheels American Thunder; a product packed full of fun and value. "We believe Wheels fans will be thrilled with the new innovations and creativity found in Wheels American Thunder. One of the unique characteristics of past Wheels products has been developing a product with theme. We've had a lot of fun reminiscing about the early days at Wheels since we started utilizing themes for race cards back in 1994. You will find an "Americana" theme running throughout Wheels American Thunder. This product has all the qualities Wheels collectors have always enjoyed and should be very appealing to new collectors as well", explains Miles Atkins, Sr. Marketing Manager for Wheels Race Cards, a brand of Racing Champions ERTL (NASDAQ: RACN). "In addition to multiple types of memorabilia cards, and Wheels Authentic Autographs (1:18 hobby, 1:240 retail), Rookie Class 2003 (1:24) is an interactive redemption insert will offer collectors the opportunity to win additional cards and memorabilia from Wheels.

Wheels American Thunder includes a 50-card base set and features nine different and innovative memorabilia cards (average 1:18), Heads-Up features four different driver-worn hats worn by drivers during the 2003 Daytona Speedweeks; Triple Hat includes three different hat versions on one card; Pushin' Pedal features race-used driver shoes; Cool Threads contains an actual piece of race-used shirt worn under the driver's firesuit and Head To Toe includes both driver-worn hat and race-used shoes. Collectors will also find Thunder Road (1:18), an 18-card memorabilia insert designed with a special texture coating technology that utilizes race-used tires.

Other inserts include the second 2003 Wheels insert honoring Dale Earnhardt; "Retrospective Series" which features collectors' favorite Dale Earnhardt Wheels cards (1:72). Hobby only gold foil stamped versions are sequentially numbered to 250. In addition, collectors will find American Eagle, a silver foil insert stamped on foil (1:18), and Golden Eagle a hobby only very rare version sequentially numbered to 100. American MuscleTM (1:12) and Postmark (1:18) are plastic inserts containing multiple layers of foil stamping. Rookie Class 2003 (1:24) is an all new redemption program that includes the newest crop of rookies in the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series of 2003 and features the 2002 NASCAR WC Raybestos Rookie of the Year Ryan Newman and Busch Series Rookie of the year, Scott Riggs. Rounding out the set is Rookie ThunderTM, a 36 card set-within-a-set (1:1). Wheels American Thunder provides collectors with super premium 24 pt. card stock that features exciting designs and superior printing technologies. Product release date is May 13, 2003.

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.