Four Fathers Win Chariot Race on Langdon Street

A team of four Madison fathers claimed the top prize in the Red Bull Chariot Race on October 17, defeating 23 other teams in a contest held on Langdon Street. The group, named Fast and Fatherly, won $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. More than 3,000 spectators watched the event unfold in the city center.

None of the four winners were college students, a distinction that set them apart from the majority of the field. Three of the men are new fathers, while the fourth described himself as a hopefully-soon-to-be dad. They constructed their chariot to resemble a baby crib and decorated it with their children's toys. Sam Peterson competed in a baby carrier holding a doll. Teammate Micah Palmer dressed as a baby for the race.

Peterson said the physical challenge was greater than anticipated. He told The Daily Cardinal that the race was much harder than he thought it would be. Palmer expressed a hope that his children would learn from their performance that one can humiliate oneself and still enjoy the experience. The three fathers plan to use their winnings to fund a family vacation.

The competition paired 24 teams into 12 head-to-head races that started outside Memorial Union. Racers traveled to the Lake Street turnaround, where they solved a Red Bull Puzzle and switched positions before returning. Judges evaluated the chariots based on construction, creativity, and a pre-race skit. Red Bull provided each team with $200 to cover building costs.

The team Eagle Has Landed took second place following a patriotic skit that featured a choreographed lift. Senior Joe Jaroski, a member of the Wisconsin cheer team, dressed as Uncle Sam for the routine. He said he spent hours preparing the lift with fellow senior Erin Kelly. Teammate Matt Kleist noted that the race provided a memorable experience for his senior year.

Grouchiator Maximus finished third. They placed ahead of Minion Mayos, which had about 30 supporters dressed as Minions cheering from the sidelines. The two runner-up teams received unique Red Bull sponsored events as part of the prize package. The event marked the fifth stop on a nine stop tour that primarily visits college towns.

Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer and Red Bull athlete, served as one of three judges. He stated that creativity accounted for more than half of the scoring. Colton pointed to the puzzle as the great equalizer, noting that some teams built their carts that morning while others had worked for weeks. The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison based creator and foil athlete, and Jay Wanserski, owner of Wando's and Jay's Bar.

Some participants were new to the event. Team Super Badgers, an all-freshman entry, was surprised their application was accepted. Teammate Brennan Schumann said a friend submitted the form for them and informed them of their selection the next day. Jada Cerniglia, a UW-Madison volleyball alumna, and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet hosted the show for the first time at a Red Bull event.