McCrory Corporation And Crest Industries Corp. Recall Toy Racing Cars Due To Potential Choking Hazards

PRODUCT: 28,800 "Mini Racer F-1" racing car sets, item number 3360, imported and distributed by McCrory and Crest Industries nationwide between November 1, 1992 and May 31, 1993. The car sets were sold at a number of independent variety stores for $.99 each. The car sets contain six brightly-colored plastic racing cars in a cardboard blister package. Each racing car has a number on the hood and a decal on the air foil, behind the engine, that reads "Fire Bird."

PROBLEM: During routine testing of the cars by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the wheels and axles separated, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers are urged to take the cars away from young children immediately and return the cars to the stores where purchased for a full refund. For more information about this recall, consumers may call McCrory at: (800) 284-3704.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), McCrory Stores, York, PA and Crest Industries Corp., Deer Park, NY are voluntarily recalling 28,800 "Mini Racer F-1" racing car sets, item number 3360. During routine testing of the racing cars by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the wheels and axles separated, presenting a potential choking hazard to young children.

The car sets contain six brightly-colored plastic "Mini Racer F-1" racing cars in a cardboard blister package. The racing cars measure 3-1/2 inches long and 1-1/4 inches wide. Each car has the following: a number on the hood, two sets of wheels in the front and one set in the back, a silver engine, an air foil with a decal that reads "Fire Bird," and a driver sitting in the seat. The label on the blister package reads in part: "ITEM NO. 3360 . . . MADE IN CHINA."

The "Mini Racer F-1" racing cars were imported by Crest Industries from China and distributed by McCrory nationwide between November 1, 1992 and May 31, 1993. The racing car sets were sold at Britts, Elmore, McCrory, H.L. Green, Kress, McClellan, T. G. & Y., Silver, J.J. Newberry, G.C. Murphy, and some independent variety stores. They sold for $.99 each.

Consumers are urged to take the cars away from young children immediately and return the toys to the stores where purchased for a full refund. Consumers who have questions about this recall may contact McCrory toll-free at: (800) 284-3704.

Neither CPSC nor McCrory and Crest are aware of any injuries involving these racing cars. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The potentially hazardous toys were identified by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdicition.