Some drivers in Southern Wisconsin are driving slower than the posted speed limit to maximize their gas mileage. It's a technique called hypermiling and it's saving Hybrid drivers thousands of dollars at the pump. Hypermiling is proven to get drivers more than 100 miles to the gallon, but those drivers have to take it a little easier on the accelerator. A choice that sometimes gets them not-so friendly gestures from other drivers, but is paying off in more ways than one.

Eric Powers is the president of Hybridfest and says, "It isn't a race for speed, it's a race to see how many MPG's you can get out of your vehicle." He's talking about a competition that draws drivers from across the country and plates that boo gas and tout fuel efficiency. It's all part of Hybridfest Challenge, but don't expect revving engines or anyone accelerating from zero to 60 in 5.2.

Jim Kelly owns a Toyota Prius. He says, "I have a competitive streak in me and uh, this is the first time I've been here and I want to see how I can do against some of the experts." Experts who can routinely squeak out 140 miles to the gallon.

Jim Kelly drove into Madison from Virginia, a one way trip of 1,050 miles that cost him less than $50. Kelly says, "I was driving an SUV, it was a small SUV, but I was still only getting 25 mpg and compared to this I figured it'd pay for itself in 2 or 3 years with the miles I drive."

As part of Friday's hypermiling competition and most Hybrid driver's daily routines, they use a technique called pulse and glide and barely crack 30 mph. Kelly says, "That's a technique where you accelerate at a rate that the Prius runs most efficient at, RPM wise and then relax and just let the car glide." And in the race that's purely for fun and bragging rights, there's plenty of strategy. Kelly says, "There's a technique for feathering the accelerator just right so that it releases any drag the mechanical parts of the car might create, it's the equivalent of putting the car in neutral, but it's not in neutral." Allowing drivers to more than double their standard MPG. Kelly says, "I can still get 60 mpg on the highway but I can easily do more than 100 mpg with the right sort of terrain and driving conditions at lower speeds." Something Kelly's hoping for as he makes his way, slowly down the road. Kelly says, "I'm not expecting to win, but uh, I hope to be competitive."

Hybridfest starts July 21st and runs through Sunday at the Alliant Energy Center and was created to spread awareness about Hybrid vehicles and create an informal club for Hybrid drivers.