Church-Linked Fathers Defeat Student Rivals for Chariot Prize

Four Madison men who met through a local church group outpaced 23 competing teams in the Red Bull Chariot Race held on Oct. 17. The victory on Langdon Street marks a rare triumph for a group where none of the members are college students, a demographic that dominated the rest of the 24-team field.

The winning crew, named Fast and Fatherly, collected a cash prize of $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. Their vehicle was designed to resemble a baby crib and adorned with their children's toys. Three of the four racers are new fathers, while the fourth described himself as a future dad. They plan to use the cash award for a family vacation.

The race format required teams to compete in 12 head-to-head matchups starting near Memorial Union. Competitors faced a turnaround at Lake Street where they solved a puzzle and swapped positions. Judges evaluated the entries based on construction, creativity, and a pre-race skit. Each team received a $200 stipend from the sponsor for building materials.

Sam Peterson, who raced wearing a baby carrier with a doll, noted the physical difficulty of the event. Teammate Micah Palmer, who dressed as an infant, expressed a hope that their children would learn to enjoy self-deprecating humor. The group’s performance secured them the top spot over rivals like The Eagle Has Landed, who finished second after a patriotic routine, and Grouchiator Maximus, who placed third.

Judging was overseen by Red Bull athlete Aaron Colton, creator Kayla Ruedebusch, and Jay Wanserski. Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer, stated that creativity accounted for more than half of the scoring criteria. He identified the puzzle challenge as a key factor in leveling the playing field between teams with varying amounts of preparation time.

Madison served as the fifth stop on a nine-city tour that primarily targets college towns. The event was hosted by Jada Cerniglia and Tommy Violet, both making their debut at a Red Bull event. The crowd exceeded 3,000 people, including prospective students and local residents. Some participating groups, such as Team Super Badgers, were surprised to be selected after their applications were submitted by friends.