Church Group Wins Madison Chariot Race

A team of Madison fathers who connected through a church group won the Red Bull Chariot Race held Oct. 17 on Langdon Street. The event drew more than 3,000 spectators.

The four-man team, named "Fast and Fatherly," finished ahead of 23 other entries. Its members are not college students. Three of the four have children, and the fourth describes himself as a "hopefully-soon-to-be dad." Their entry was built to resemble a baby crib and decorated with their kids' toys. The team won $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. Sam Peterson, who competed with a baby carrier holding a doll, said, "This was so much harder than I thought it was going to be." Micah Palmer, who dressed as a baby, said he wants their children to learn "that you can humiliate yourself and still have a good time." The three fathers plan to use the prize money on a family vacation.

The race paired 24 teams into 12 head-to-head heats starting outside Memorial Union. At the Lake Street turnaround, participants solved a Red Bull puzzle and switched positions before racing back. Judges scored chariot construction, creativity, and a pre-race skit. Red Bull gave every team $200 for building costs.

"The Eagle Has Landed" placed second following a patriotic skit that included a choreographed lift. Joe Jaroski, a senior on the Wisconsin cheer team who appeared as Uncle Sam, said he spent hours preparing the lift with senior Erin Kelly. "Grouchiator Maximus" took third, followed by "Minion Mayos," which had about 30 supporters dressed as Minions cheering trackside. The second- and third-place teams receive Red Bull-sponsored events.

Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer, served as one of three judges. He said creativity made up more than half the scoring, and he called the puzzle "the great equalizer." The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison-based creator and professional foil athlete, and Jay Wanserski, who owns Wando's and Jay's Bar. Red Bull's nine-stop tour stopped in Madison as its fifth event. Jada Cerniglia, a UW-Madison volleyball alumna, and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet hosted.