Madison: Church-Linked dads win chariot race

Four Madison men took the top prize in the Red Bull Chariot Race on Oct. 17, outpacing 23 other teams in a contest held on Langdon Street. The group, known as Fast and Fatherly, collected $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. More than 3,000 spectators watched the competition, which featured participants from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the wider community.

The team members met through a church group. None of the four are college students. Three are new fathers, while the fourth described himself as a hopefully-soon-to-be dad. They built their chariot to resemble a baby crib and decorated it with their children’s toys. Sam Peterson competed wearing a baby carrier holding a doll. Teammate Micah Palmer dressed as a baby for the event.

Peterson told The Daily Cardinal after the race that it was much harder than he anticipated. Palmer said he hopes their children learn that one can humiliate oneself and still have a good time. The three fathers plan to use the winnings for a family vacation.

The race format required teams to build carts and perform a skit before competing. Red Bull provided $200 to each team for building costs. Teams were judged on construction, creativity, and their skit. The 24 entrants were paired into 12 head-to-head races starting near Memorial Union. Racers had to solve a puzzle at the Lake Street turnaround, switch positions, and race back to the finish.

Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer, served as one of three judges. He stated that creativity accounted for more than half of the judging score. Colton noted that the puzzle acted as a great equalizer for the competitors. Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison-based creator, and Jay Wanserski, owner of Wando's and Jay's Bar, completed the judging panel.

The Eagle Has Landed placed second after a patriotic skit that featured a choreographed lift. Joe Jaroski, a senior on the Wisconsin cheer team who dressed as Uncle Sam, said he spent hours preparing the lift with fellow senior Erin Kelly. Grouchiator Maximus finished third. Minion Mayos took fourth place with about 30 supporters dressed as Minions watching from the sidelines.

Madison served as the fifth stop on Red Bull’s nine-city tour. Jada Cerniglia, a UW-Madison volleyball alumna, and Tommy Violet, a Milwaukee comedian, hosted the event for the first time. Colton had previously judged the race in two other locations. Some teams, such as Team Super Badgers, were new to the competition and surprised to be accepted.