Racing Champions(R) to be Presenting Sponsor of 32nd Annual Matco Tools SuperNationals NHRA Event

    GLEN ELLYN, Ill., May 16 For the third year in a row,
Racing Champions will be the presenting sponsor of the National
Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) 32nd annual Matco Tools SuperNationals. The event
will be held May 17-20 at Englishtown, NJ, one of the oldest auto race tracks
in the country, and is part of the year-long celebration of the NHRA's 50th
anniversary.
    In partnership with Toys "R" Us, Racing Champions is sponsoring a special
Camaro funny car that will be driven by Jim Epler, a top NHRA favorite and
driver of the Racing Champions/Matco Tools funny car. The car shouldn't be
hard for race fans to spot -- it will feature a special Toys "R" Us paint
scheme in a rainbow of colors, and will feature the likeness of Geoffrey, the
famous Toys "R" Us mascot, on the sides and hood.
    Die-cast replicas of this distinctive Toys "R" Us funny car will be
available in select Toys "R" Us stores this June, according to Pete Henseler,
president of Racing Champions. "We anticipate that both collectors and fans
alike will generate demand for this limited edition Toys "R" Us race car,"
Henseler said.  "This is truly a unique partnership between Racing Champions,
Toys "R" Us and Matco Tools, and it should bring a lot of fun and excitement
to this championship event."  Racing Champions produces NHRA-licensed die-cast
vehicle replicas in both 1:64th and 1:24th scale for the Pro Stock, Funny Car
and Dragster series.
    "We're delighted to have Racing Champions back for the third straight year
as the presenting sponsor at our Matco Tools SuperNationals," said Eric
Muellenmeister, vice president of Matco Tools.  "With the addition of the
Toys "R" Us funny car running in its home state of New Jersey, we expect this
race to be a tremendous event for fans, race teams and sponsors alike."
    Founded in 1989, Racing Champions ( http://www.rcertl.com ) is a leading producer
and marketer of innovative collectibles and toys sold in multiple channels of
distribution and available at more than 20,000 retail outlets. The company
sells American Muscle(TM) collectible die-cast vehicle replicas, NASCAR and
NHRA die-cast racing replicas, officially licensed die-cast and preschool
products of automobiles, trucks, agricultural, heavy equipment and powered-
recreational and sport vehicles, AMT(TM) model kits, Press Pass(R) trading
cards and NASCAR souvenirs and apparel. High-profile licensing partners
include NASCAR(R), NHRA(R), John Deere(R), Case(R), Polaris(R), Honda(R),
Caterpillar(R), Ford(R), GM(R), Chrysler(R), Texaco(R), and Warner
Brothers(R).

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