Racer Bobby Hamilton Teams With AutoVantage

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 23, 2005 -- As gas prices continue to climb nationwide, motorists are looking to shift into savings at the pump. According to the Lundberg Survey, the national average for a gallon of gas is $2.53, a new record.

"Off the track, I'm just like you. I'm constantly checking gas prices and figuring out ways to save a few bucks," said Bobby Hamilton, racing legend and AutoVantage spokesman. "With no relief in sight at the gas pump, many folks are grabbing the keys to a hybrid vehicle. Most hybrids won't get you to the gas station on empty because only a few can run on electricity alone, but all of them will definitely conserve gas and save money."

Those record gas prices as well as environmental concerns have fueled a high demand for hybrids. Nationwide hybrid registration rose 81 percent in the last year, according to R.L. Polk and Co., an international firm that analyzes automotive industry trends.

"Most major automobile manufacturers are beginning to include hybrid cars as a cost-effective solution to combat record gas prices while at the same time helping the environment," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. "After years of diligent research and design, alternative-fuel vehicles are now becoming a reality."

For motorists who are thinking of jumping into the driver's seat of a hybrid, Bobby Hamilton shares some background information to help get the new engine started:

   * The hybrid combines a gasoline-powered engine and a battery-operated
     motor to achieve superior fuel efficiency.  No outlets needed.
   * A process called regenerative braking recharges the car's battery by
     using its momentum as energy -- a valuable source that is wasted during
     braking and cruising in conventional models.  The hybrid's additional
     motor converts this energy into electricity, then stores it in a
     battery designed to last your vehicle's lifetime.  This technology not
     only allows the hybrid to use less gasoline, but also emits less carbon
     dioxide, clearing smog from your tail pipe.
   * A smaller engine does not mean you have to leave performance by the
     wayside.  In fact, compared to their "traditional" competition, hybrids
     often pack better acceleration because of their additional electric
     motor.
   * In order to save fuel, a hybrid's electric motor will take over some of
     the engine's duties.  When climbing a hill or passing on the
     straightaway, the electric motor becomes an anchor of sorts, pushing
     your hybrid into high gear.  This is especially useful for stop-and-go
     traffic.  Some models get 50 miles per gallon in the city.
   * When you come to a stop, a hybrid's idle-stop feature automatically
     shuts off the engine.  Accessories like air conditioning and dashboard
     lights continue running on battery power.
   * The Union of Concerned Scientists, founded by faculty members of the
     Massachusetts Institute of Technology, compared hybrids' idle-stop
     feature to the light switch inside a refrigerator.  Whether you're
     waiting for the light to turn green or the cows to cross the road, if
     your car doesn't need its engine, it will simply shut off.  Don't
     worry, you'll never notice the change.  The engine is back on by the
     time your foot hits the accelerator.
   * Although the U.S. Department of Energy lists only seven hybrid vehicles
     in its 2005 Fuel Economy Guide, many more will be available in 2006 in
     order to keep up with demand.  In the meantime, you may have to put
     your name on a waiting list.
   * Hybrid options run the gamut: sedans, SUVs and trucks.  Hybrid trucks,
     which come equipped with multiple outlets for power tool use,
     essentially turn your pick-up into a generator.  Hybrid transit buses
     are already in use in major metropolitan areas across the country.
   * Hybrid cars "cost an average of about $3,000 more than conventional-gas
     cars," according to Consumer Reports.  However, hybrid owners will save
     in the long run because their vehicles get about 19 percent more MPG in
     the city.  Buyers in certain states also receive a tax deduction,
     though it will expire after 2006.
   * Hybrids' regular maintenance intervals stretch further than those of
     their conventional counterparts.  You should bring your hybrid to a
     dealer for oil and filter changes since most independent mechanics
     still lack experience with these cars.
   * Some state laws allow hybrid drivers to use carpool lanes, regardless
     of the number of passengers. So with all things considered -- less
     stops at the gas station, less pollution and even less traffic --
     hybrids give drivers a win-win situation.

Bobby Hamilton, a spokesman for AutoVantage, is the current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion after achieving four career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victories. He founded Bobby Hamilton Racing, which owns and operates three trucks in the NASCAR circuit.