Racing Champions Ertl Expands Board

    GLEN ELLYN, Ill.--March 26, 2003--Racing Champions Ertl Corporation today announced that Richard E. Rothkopf and Thomas M. Collinger have joined the Company's Board of Directors, expanding its size to eleven directors from nine. Both Mr. Rothkopf and Mr. Collinger served on the board of directors of Learning Curve International, Inc. prior to its acquisition by Racing Champions Ertl earlier this month. Mr. Collinger joins the Racing Champions Ertl Board as an outside member.
    Curt Stoelting, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are delighted to add these two experienced professionals to our Board. Their broad experience in sales and marketing and their expertise in building businesses including Learning Curve will bring added depth to our Board as we continue to grow Racing Champions Ertl's business and integrate Learning Curve."
    Mr. Rothkopf is co-founder and Chairman of Learning Curve International, the exclusive producer of Thomas the Tank Engine wooden and die-cast toy trains, and other high-quality traditional children's toys. Mr. Rothkopf continues to serve as Chairman of Learning Curve and has become an Executive Vice President of Racing Champions Ertl. Before starting Learning Curve International in 1993, Mr. Rothkopf was Chairman and sole owner of Rothkopf Enterprises, Inc., a direct response continuity program marketing company. Mr. Rothkopf also previously held positions with such companies as Mobil Oil Corporation, Nixdorf Computer AG, Germany and Douglas Dunhill Inc. where he was President of the consumer direct marketing company.
    Mr. Collinger is Associate Professor and Director of Direct, Database & E-Commerce Marketing in the Integrated Marketing Communications Department at The Medill Graduate School of Northwestern University. He also is President of the TC Group, a marketing consulting practice focused on loyalty and best customer marketing practices, customer strategy, branding and agency selection management. Mr. Collinger previously was Senior Vice President of Direct and Promotion Marketing at The Leo Burnett Company. He also held senior positions at Ogilvy & Mather Direct, N.W. Ayer, Time-Life Books, Inc. and Targeted Media Concepts, Inc.

    Racing Champions Ertl (www.rcertl.com) is a leading producer and marketer of innovative collectibles and toys targeted at adult collectors and children. The Company's diverse product offerings include: agricultural, construction and outdoor sports vehicle replicas; automotive, high performance and racing vehicle replicas; traditional children's 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(R), Ertl(R), Ertl Collectibles(R), Learning Curve(R), American Muscle(TM), AMT(R), W. Britain(R), Press Pass(R), Eden(R), Feltkids(R) and JoyRide Studios(TM). The Company supports its brands and enhances the authenticity of its products by linking them with highly recognized licensed properties from John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Hit Entertainment, Lamaze, Case, Polaris, Honda, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler, NASCAR, NHRA, Texaco, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, DIC Entertainment, Nintendo, Sega, Electronic Arts and Microsoft. The Company's products are marketed through multiple channels of distribution, including chain retailers, specialty and hobby wholesalers and retailers, OEM dealers, corporate accounts for promotional purposes and direct to consumers. The Company sells through more than 20,000 retail outlets located in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.