LIFE IS SHORT. RACE HARD. LIVE GREEN.

LEILANI MUNTER is a self proclaimed vegetarian, hippie chick racer who lives by the mantra:

“Life is short. Race hard. Live green."

Born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota, to a Hawaiian mother and German father, Leilani combines the best of both heritages into her racing career and Eco Dream Team. The evolutionary path suits this “Carbon Free Girl” perfectly.

Leilani attended the University of California in San Diego and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her school years she worked as a model, and also started to race on the amateur SCCA race circuit. She was hooked. Her talents behind the wheel were obvious.

"My passionis racing. Biology would have been the secure, responsible choice but I went with my heart."

In 2007 Leilani became the fourth woman in history to race in the Indy Pro Series, the developmental league of IndyCar. She impressed the open wheel racing world when she qualified 5th for her debut. Sports Illustrated declared her “one of the top ten female drivers in the world”.

Blending her exotic, free-spirited instincts with the discipline and focus required of a professional race car driver, Leilani also fulfills her keen interest in science as “The Carbon Free Girl “and share’s her journey to be carbon neutral by purchasing an acre of rainforest for every race she runs to offset her carbon footprint. The mission of Leilani's Eco Dream Team is to send powerful messages to the number one spectator sport in America, calling to action 100 million race fans in the US to make a difference by spreading environmental awareness about sustainable living alternatives, clean energy, alternative fuel vehicles, and environmental legislation. Knowledge is power and Leilani wants to spread that power to the race fans. Additionally, Leilani hopes her efforts will encourage racing sanctioning bodies to increase their environmental initiatives with expanded recycling programs and the use of alternative fuels.

Track Chic talked with Leilani after her May 11th-13th competition in the Oslo, Norway Viking Rally Zero Emission Vehicles challenge, Stretching from Oslo to Stavenger, the road rally is a combination of hill climbs, slaloms and drag race competitions throughout Norway’s scenic southern and western coasts. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon and Henning Solberg participated in the first leg of the competition. For zero emission vehicles only, the Viking Rally is proof that environmentalism can be fun.

"I was just enjoying the moment and having a lot of fun! The Viking Rally was a very cymbolic event bringing together people from all over the world to promte clean energy vehicles and it was wonerful to have so many high profile people attend and bring attention to it!"

The hydrogen fuel cell of Leilani’s 65kW Horsepower, hydrogen fuelled Ford Focus for Team Hunt & Carbon Free Girl has harmless emissions of pure water and heat … so pure that Leilani could drink the water from the exhaust!

"I did drink the water from my exhaust and yes,
it was a very powerful reality!
Exhaust so clean you can drink it!"

Meet LEILANI and learn more on www.TRACKCHIC.com …
(images courtesy of Leilani Munter, www.LeilaniMunter.com,
Richard Russel, Lake Norman Magazine)