GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Dec. 10 -- Racing Champions Corporation announced today that a new multi-product and trackside vending license agreement has been reached with JG Motorsports, the licensing administrator for Jimmie Johnson and the Hendrick Motorsports #48 Lowe's team. Under the terms of this agreement, Racing Champions will produce and market die-cast replicas, apparel, souvenirs, and novelties related to the #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet, whose primary sponsor is Lowe's Home Improvement. The Company's rights include exclusive distribution to mass retail for die-cast, and exclusive distribution at all NASCAR Winston Cup events for all products. Under a separate agreement, the Company also has obtained rights to produce Press Pass� trading cards related to the driver and team.
Peter Henseler, President of Racing Champions, said, "We're very pleased that JG Motorsports has entrusted us to represent Jimmie Johnson and Lowe's Home Improvement with a variety of products, and we're honored the team chose us as their exclusive trackside vendor -- we'll be playing an important role for Jimmie, Lowe's, and the team. We're also excited about working with Lowe's and their partners -- Kobalt Tools, American Traditions, and Top Choice Lumber among them -- who also support the team."
Bob Brannan, Vice President for JG Motorsports, Inc., said, "We have high expectations for Jimmie on the race track. We also have high expectations for Racing Champions, whose reputation for delivering quality results made the basic licensing decision easy. However, deciding who represents you at thirty-six NASCAR Winston Cup races is more difficult because of the expectations of both the sponsor and the driver. We are confident that Racing Champions will exceed our expectations as well as those of Jimmie's prospering fan base."
The #48 Jimmie Johnson/Lowe's race team will bring the number of NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams fielded by Hendrick Motorsports to four. Hendrick Motorsports also fields NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams for Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, and Jerry Nadeau. The team's cars will be prepared beside Jimmie Johnson's mentor, Jeff Gordon, in the #24 Dupont shop. The team participated in three NASCAR Winston Cup races in 2001 and will compete for the Rookie of the Year title in 2002, racing a full schedule.
Founded in 1989, Racing Champions ( 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; Racing Champions� NASCAR and NHRA die-cast racing replicas, souvenirs and apparel; officially licensed die-cast and preschool products based on automobiles, trucks, agricultural, heavy equipment, and powered recreational and sport vehicles under the Ertl� brand; AMT(TM) model kits; Press Pass� trading cards; and Wm. Britain� collectible figures. High-profile licensing partners include NASCAR�, NHRA�, John Deere�, Case IH�, Polaris�, Honda�, Caterpillar�, Ford�, GM�, Chrysler�, Texaco�, and Warner Brothers�.
