15 students and 7 professors from our university's automotive engineering undergraduate program in Quito participated in the 2019 Shell Eco Marathon Competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the 16th to the 19th of September with their vehicle which they named "Amaru Uma".

The competition is aimed at university students who design and build their own prototypes which use efficient energy. 500 people who made up 37 teams from Panama, Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil took part of this edition. 

"What we do is encourage this generation to build efficient prototypes with a minimum use of gas for a sustainable future. We want them to gain experience in cars. It's an unforgettable experience for participants", said Priscila Gerhard, representative of Shell Eco Marathon.

To start the event, every team from participating universities made any technical adjustments and held meetings with team managers and drivers. There were technical inspections of the vehicles, a revision of brakes and the engine, drivers also had to weigh themselves. 

"It was a challenge for us to get admitted. We got to Brazil with our dismantled prototype and we had to assemble in two days what we had worked on for three months". said Kevin Osorio, member of the team. After being evaluated, the team passed the "Safety and technical inspection" which enabled them to enter the track. 

"It is gratifying to verify that the academic part paid off in this tough competition; I would like to highlight the quality of people who make up this group, their ability to work in teams, initiative, creativity, empathy and dedication", said Ángel Paucar , director of the Automotive Engineering undergraduate program at UPS.

The team was made up of the following students: Luis Aguirre, Daniel Andrade, Kevin Bravo, Miguel Cando, Darwin Jaramillo, Jandry Lara, Israel Martínez, Sandra Morales, Tyrone Obando, Kevin Osorio, Harley Pozo, Jairo Quishpe, Fernando Ramírez, Raquel Trujillo and Anahí Zambrano (pilot and team manager) and professors Ángel Paucar, Paúl Molina, Vicente Rojas, Juan Pablo Tamayo, Carlos Álvarez, Paúl Totoy and Ángel López.