Bickle offers diecast

ATLANTA, GA (July 17, 2000) - A new, colorful must-have diecast entry was unveiled today by NASCAR Busch Series driver Rich Bickle and Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. The diecast cars will be part of the Premiere Series by Racing Champions and will be produced in both 1/24 and 1/64 scale. The limited edition cars will feature the paint scheme featured on the #91 Popeyes car raced by Bickle this season in Busch Series competition. "The Popeyes diecast cars are so cool," said Bickle. "They feature the same bright yellow paint scheme we'll be racing in six Busch Series events this year beginning at St Louis July 29. The people at Racing Champions have been exact in every detail, right down to the big decal of Popeye on the hood and rear quarter panels of the diecast car. We know kids are going to love these cars because of the cartoon flavor they have, but adult diecast collectors are also going to want to have these unique cars too." The Racing Champions Premier Series is geared toward the more detailed collector and has numerous upgrades to traditional diecast vehicle replicas. Both the 1:24 and 1:64 Popeyes diecast stock cars will feature opening trunks and hoods, and come on a display stand with a collector card as well as an authentic replica car cover. "We are very excited to be releasing this limited edition diecast replica of the #91 Popeyes car," Jon Luther, President of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, said. "We think that this car will be a collector's item that fans of both our restaurants and our race team will grab quickly." Both cars are available for order now at www.richbickle.net, the official Bickle/Smith Motorsports website. All transactions conducted at www.richbickle.net are made through a secure SSL server to ensure security. Bickle/Smith Motorsports is housed in a 22,000 square foot race facility in Mooresville, NC. The venture is a partnership between Bickle, a 10-year NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series veteran, and Ed Smith, founder of Smith Ironworks which operates in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.