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START YOUR "JET" ENGINES! K'NEX TO INTRODUCE RECORD-SETTING "SPIRIT OF AMERICA" LAND SPEED RACER AT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR

Faster than the Speed of Sound... K'NEX's Official Craig Breedlove-Inspired Building Set Takes Construction Play to a New Level of Cool

Hatfield, PA, December 18, 2000 - The excitement surrounding Craig Breedlove's attempt to bring the world land speed record back to the United States in 2001 is mounting, and K'NEX is on board for the ride! K'NEX Industries, one of the world's leading construction toy manufacturers, will launch an officially licensed building set which challenges kids to create an actual replica of Craig Breedlove's record-setting land speed racer. K'NEX will debut the SPIRIT OF AMERICA at the 2001 American International Toy Fair in New York City.

During Toy Fair 2001, to be held Sunday, February 11 through Thursday, February 15, the new SPIRIT OF AMERICA construction toy set will be on view in the K'NEX Showroom at 1107 Broadway, Suite 1315, and in K'NEX's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Toy Fair booth (#1555).

The K'NEX SPIRIT OF AMERICA set lets kids build a sleek replica of Craig Breedlove's real 2001 vehicle as well as replicas of Breedlove's past land speed record holders: the Spirit of America (1963) and the Spirit of America Sonic I (1965). Each of the three models feature realistic styling, racing graphics and builds to over two feet in length.

Racing legend Craig Breedlove is a five-time holder of the World Land Speed Record. Breedlove's Spirit of America harnesses the power of a 48,000 horsepower jet engine from a Navy F-4 Phantom fighter. The current land speed record is held by the British vehicle "Thrust" which ran at 763.0 mph in 1997, breaking the sound barrier on land! To beat the record in 2001, Breedlove and his Spirit of America team will have to travel at an average speed of 771 mph (1% faster than the current British record).

"Craig Breedlove is determined to bring the land speed record back to the United States after an 18-year absence, and K'NEX is thrilled to be an official sponsor of this momentous event," said Chris Campbell, Vice President of Marketing for K'NEX. "As kids construct the actual land speed racer, they will learn about the sport, understand the true meaning behind the SPIRIT OF AMERICA and take pride in the excitement of Craig Breedlove's attempt to blast through the sound barrier."

As an official sponsor of the Sprit of America run in 2001, K'NEX Industries will have their logo painted on the actual car.

As with all K'NEX products, the new Spirit of America building set includes color-coded step-by-step instructions. As a bonus, the instructions also come with a two page fully-illustrated spread featuring information on the sport of land speed racing, Craig Breedlove and the quest for the 2001 record as well as a pull-out poster. Recommended for ages eight and up, the K'NEX Spirit of America building set has a suggested retail price of $19.99. The Spirit of America will be available nationally in Spring 2001. For more information, consumers can visit www.knex.com or call 1-800-KID-KNEX.

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Founded in 1992, K'NEX Industries was formally established to make and sell what has become one of the world's leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 150 international awards and recognitions, K'NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K'NEX Education program.

About K’NEX Brands

Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands, the world’s most innovative construction toy company, was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX is America’s building toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love, and encourages youngsters to “imagine, build and play.”  For more information, please visit www.knex.com.