The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Racing Champions E-Sales of $1M in First Six Months Prompts Plans

21 January 1999

Racing Champions E-Sales of $1 Million in First Six Months Prompts Plans for Redesign and Expansion of Online Store

    GLEN ELLYN, Ill.--Jan. 21, 1999--Racing Champions Corporation , one of the world's leading producers of die-cast vehicle replicas, today announced that its "Racing Shop" online store had booked orders of approximately $1 million during its first six months in operation. Encouraged by this strong response which exceeded the Company's initial expectations, Racing Champions has redesigned its website (www.racingchamps.com), and plans to expand its "Racing Shop". The new website provides expanded ease of operation through improved navigation and frequent information updates for new 1999 products.
    "In the beginning of 1998, Racing Champions responded to the increased popularity of our website by providing more information to collectors," said Pete Henseler, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Racing Champions. "In 1999 we have taken that commitment one step further by re-designing the website to make it more informative, more fun and more user-friendly."
    Collectors who have come to rely on the immediacy of the internet for up-to-date information on Racing Champions, will be able to preview the new Racing Champions 30-second commercial before it debuts on national television in mid-February. During the first quarter of 1999, Racing Champions will continue making upgrades to its website by expanding the on-line store.
    Henseler added, "The expansion of the Racing Champions on-line store is necessary to accommodate the growing traffic and consumer demand we have experienced since the store opened on the site in June, 1998. We have found the internet to be a powerful tool to attract new collectors, having signed up 30 percent of the membership in the new Racing Champions Platinum Club via the website."
    Henseler concluded, "The Racing Champions website continues to average more than five million hits per month as the site consistently outpaces our predictions. This re-design is just one example of our commitment to expanding and improving both our e-commerce and internet presence."
    Founded in 1989, Racing Champions (www.racingchamps.com) is the leading producer and marketer of racing die-cast replicas sold at more than 20,000 North American retail outlets. The Company has leveraged this leadership position and its relationship with NASCAR to become the premier marketer of an extensive line of NASCAR collectibles, which in addition to die-cast racing replicas consists of Press Pass trading cards, apparel and souvenirs. Building on its proven retail strategies, and its leading-edge design and manufacturing capabilities, Racing Champions has also broadened its offering of die-cast collectibles to include high profile, vehicle replicas including Motor Trend and Hot Rod magazines, World Championship Wrestling and Sony "Signature" licenses.