Church group wins $1,500 in Madison chariot race

A team of four men from a Madison church group claimed the top prize in the Red Bull Chariot Race on Oct. 17, defeating 23 other teams in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 people.

The race marked the fifth stop on a nine-city tour through college towns. The event combined speed, construction quality, and creative performance. Teams competed in a course that started near Memorial Union and required a turnaround at Lake Street, where racers solved a puzzle before finishing the lap. Red Bull provided each team with $200 to help cover building costs.

The winning team, Fast and Fatherly, collected $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. None of the four members are college students. Three are new fathers, and the fourth is expecting a child. They built a chariot designed to resemble a baby crib and decorated it with their children's toys. Sam Peterson, one of the racers, wore a baby carrier holding a doll during the event. Micah Palmer dressed as an infant. The group stated they intend to use the prize money for a family vacation.

Judging for the event included Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer and Red Bull athlete. Colton noted that creativity accounted for more than half of the final score. He described the puzzle element as a great equalizer for teams with varying preparation times. The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a professional foil athlete, and Jay Wanserski, the owner of Wando's and Jay's Bar. Ruedebusch said the show elements distinguished this race from standard competitions.

Second place went to the team The Eagle Has Landed. The group performed a patriotic skit featuring a choreographed lift. Joe Jaroski, a senior on the Wisconsin cheer team who dressed as Uncle Sam, said he spent hours practicing the lift with fellow senior Erin Kelly. Matt Kleist, a teammate, said the experience provided a memorable end to their senior year. Third place was awarded to Grouchiator Maximus. Minion Mayos finished fourth. About 30 supporters dressed as Minions cheered the fourth-place team from the sidelines. The second and third place teams received unique Red Bull sponsored events.

Some participants were new to the competition. Team Super Badgers, an all-freshman entry, learned they had been accepted after a friend submitted their application. Brennan Schumann said the team was surprised by the selection. The event was hosted by Jada Cerniglia, a UW-Madison volleyball alumna, and Tommy Violet, a Milwaukee comedian. Both hosts appeared at a Red Bull event for the first time. Colton had previously judged the race in two other locations.

The audience included competitors' families, prospective students, and local residents. Tohnie, a UW-Madison alum who previously lived on Langdon Street, attended the race as a spectator.