Subenet: Sno*Drift 2007

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CPD Racing is in Michigan for the first rally of the 2007 season

ATLANTA, MI. (January 25, 2007) They’re talking about snow this weekend, which is a common topic of conversation in the middle of winter in northeastern Michigan, site of the 2007 Sno*Drift Rally, the inaugural event in the 10-round Rally America Series. With a field of over 50 entrants they’re also talking about some fierce competition in addition to the cold. Oh yeah, fun is a discussion topic as well.

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

O’Sullivan and co-driver Scott Putnam are also looking forward to a new primary sponsorship deal they just inked with K&N Engineering, the world leader in performance filter technology. The CPD Racing Open Class Subaru WRX is now wrapped in K&N livery, and equipped with K&N High Flow Technology air and oil filters to help the car cope with the rally’s cold conditions.

“If you stay on the road this rally isn’t that hard on the cars themselves actually; it’s just when you go off that you run into trouble,” says O’Sullivan. “The snowbanks lining the course aren’t as deep this year because the area has less snow than in the past. As a result, there’s not as much to cushion you should things go wrong, which can happen pretty quickly here. To get it right, you have to be constantly analyzing and adjusting as well as making the right tire choices.”

The co-driver has a lot to think also, says Scott Putnam, who can’t wait to watch O’Sullivan work the wheel.

“Winter rallies usually bring with them a fairly high ‘pucker factor.’ Ice can suddenly appear in your path and trees seemingly suck you towards them. Most of the time you motor on, although stationary obstacles can often whiz by the car at an uncomfortably close distance.”

The owner of CPD Racing, Doug Havir, is keeping his distance from driving chores this season as he is busy tending to his ownership of Rally America, the sport’s sanctioning body. However he is excited about the 2007 Rally America Series Championship.

“This is a driver’s event that depends more on smoothness and skill than brute horsepower, so it’s a good place to start the season.”

In fact, Sno*Drift is used to leading the way, as it was the site of the first stage rally in America, back in 1973.

“Sno*Drift is our only winter rally, so preparation is unique,” said J.B Niday, Managing Director of Rally America. “Montmorency County is always excited to have us back regardless of the road conditions. The new season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive to date as lots of strong teams have committed to run the entire season. Last year’s champion, Travis Pastrana, will certainly have his work cut out for him at each event.”

CPD Racing’s Lauchlin O’Sullivan doesn’t care about beating Pastrana in the first stage at Sno*Drift, but he looks to be toward the top when the overall results are tallied following the final stage.

“We plan to be patient and start off slow and go from there. This is one rally where you just can’t sit back and mash the gas; you have to be thinking about what seems like 1,000 things at once.”

And one thing Lauchlin and Scott and all the other competitors will be thinking about is how good it is to be out once again in the woods competing against the conditions – and each other. Welcome to 2007. Let the fun begin.

CPD Racing is a professional rally team owned by Doug Havir and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team fields two Subaru WRX STi’s in the Rally America series, the principal sanctioning and governing body of rally racing in the United States. Rally America is also owned by Havir. CPD Racing, a proven rally race winner, is also sponsored by Luther Automotive Group’s Bloomington Acura Subaru and subenet. For more information about CPD Racing please go to www.subaru.net.