The Solar Car Team's prototype car, "Mallory," managed to travel what is estimated to be the equivalent of 3,149 miles on one gallon during a major nationwide competition earlier this year.

To commemorate the team's achievement, the Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy, or AzRISE, hosted a celebratory event May 10 in the University of Arizona Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building's courtyard, located at 1130 N. Mountain Ave.

The eight-member team of UA students competed in the Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2010 competition, which was held in March. The students were asked to design, build and operate a fuel-efficient vehicle that was then raced in Houston.

"People love looking at this car," said Jacquelyn Jackson, the communicaitons director for AzRISE.

"The event will allow people to get a first hand look," Jackson said. "While they did not win the challenge, they did break records."