K&N Competes in 2007 Rally America Series in Pursuit of X-Games Glory

A relationship that began at the X-games last summer has solidified into a season long primary sponsorship agreement between K&N Engineering and CPD Racing.

“K&N is proud to announce our continued support of Lauchlin O’Sullivan and Scott Putnam in the 2007 Rally America Series and their pursuit of an X-Games Championship win,” said K&N Engineering Marketing Director, David Vespremi. “At K&N, we see the rally as an ideal showcase and proving ground for the High-Flow Technology of our Air and Oil Filters.”

CPD Racing Driver Lauchlin O'Sullivan CPD Racing Driver Lauchlin O'Sullivan
Jonathan Fiello's 2003 Undercover Dragster
K&N sponsored Subaru
CPD Racing is headed to Michigan for the 2007 Sno*Drift Rally, the inaugural event in the 10-Round Rally America Series. A field of 50 entrants will face bitter cold and stiff competition.

“I don’t get to spend as much time driving on snow and ice as most Midwesterners,” said CPD Racing driver Lauchlin O’Sullivan. “Coming to Sno*Drift is a unique experience that certainly provides a challenge for me. The last time I was at this event I finished fourth overall. I really looking forward to some more seat time at Sno*Drift this weekend.” O’Sullivan is from California.

Lauchlin O'Sullivan and Scott Putnam
Lauchlin O'Sullivan and Scott Putnam
CPD Racing head to Rally America Series
CPD Racing headed to Rally America Series
Rally is unique in that it presents an environment where a wide array of elements are present, dust, snow, dirt and gravel. “K&N’s development time with teams like CPD are just as important as the research and development that takes place in our laboratories,” said Vespremi. “The cars breathe through a mandated restrictor plate, just like NASCAR. However, unlike NASCAR, these engines are small displacement turbocharged engines running high levels of boost that are essentially highly tuned variations of what a consumer might drive on the street. For this reason, consistent air flow, low maintenance, durability and superior filtration are critical in these applications. The development that takes place as a result of racing with teams like this improves K&N’s consumer product lines.”

“As we prepare for Sno*Drift, we are very excited about partnering with K&N,” said O’Sullivan. “We certainly aspire to be the best so it makes sense to use the best products we can in our race car. K&N makes the finest Air and Oil Filters and is the true industry leader. We use their products with total confidence and will do all we can at each and every rally event to make them proud.”

This sponsorship between K&N and CPD began at the X-Games last summer when O’Sullivan and Putnam drove their K&N sponsored Subaru to an impressive 4th place finish. That finish was the highest of any non-factory team. They are aiming for victory in the X Games this summer, as well as the 2007 Rally America Championship.

2007 Rally America National Championship Series Schedule

Sno*Drift Rally, Atlanta, Michigan, January 26-27
Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, Salem, Missouri, February 23-24
Oregon Trail Rlly, Hillsboro, Oregon, April 20-22
Olympus Rally, Olympia, Washington, May 19-20
Susquehannock Trail Rally, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, June 2
New England Forest Rally, Bethel, Maine, July 13-14
X Games 13, Los Angles, California, August 2-5
Ojibwe Forests Rally, Bemidji, Minnesota, August 24-25
Rally Colorado, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, September 22-23
Lake Superior Rally, Houghton, Michigan, October 26-27


Follow Lauchlin O'Sullivan's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.