Fatherhood on Wheels: Madison Dads Win Red Bull Chariot Race

Sam Peterson stood on Langdon Street with a baby doll strapped to his chest, reflecting on the physical toll of the morning's competition. He and his teammates, a group of four Madison men who connected through a church group, had just secured first place in the Red Bull Chariot Race. Their team, Fast and Fatherly, outpaced 23 other entries in front of a crowd exceeding 3,000 spectators. None of the winners were college students, a rare distinction in a field dominated by university teams.

The race began on Oct. 17, marking the fifth stop on Red Bull's nine-city tour. The event paired the 24 participating teams into 12 head-to-head races starting outside Memorial Union. Competitors pushed their hand-built carts to a turnaround point on Lake Street, where they had to solve a puzzle and switch positions before heading back. The judging criteria included the quality of the chariot construction, the creativity of the design, and a short skit performed prior to the race. Red Bull provided each team with $200 to help cover building costs.

Fast and Fatherly approached the race with a specific theme. Their chariot was constructed to resemble a baby crib and decorated with their children's toys. Three members are new fathers, while the fourth described himself as a hopefully-soon-to-be dad. Teammate Micah Palmer raced dressed entirely as an infant. The group plans to use their $1,500 prize and 60 cases of Red Bull for a family vacation. Palmer expressed hope that his children will learn from the experience that self-humiliation can be part of having a good time.

The competition drew a mix of University of Wisconsin-Madison students and community members. "The Eagle Has Landed" took second place, crediting a patriotic skit that featured a choreographed lift. Senior Joe Jaroski, who dressed as Uncle Sam, spent hours rehearsing the stunt with fellow senior Erin Kelly. Third place went to "Grouchiator Maximus," which finished ahead of "Minion Mayos." The latter team had approximately 30 supporters dressed as Minions cheering from the sidelines. Both the second and third place teams received unique Red Bull-sponsored event packages.

Judging the event were three individuals with distinct backgrounds. Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer and Red Bull athlete, noted that creativity accounted for more than half of the score. He observed that while some teams built their carts that morning, others had worked for weeks. Colton called the Lake Street puzzle the great equalizer. The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a Madison-based creator and foil athlete, and Jay Wanserski, owner of Wando's and Jay's Bar. Ruedebusch stated that the creative elements distinguished this race from others on the tour.

Newcomers to the event were part of the mix. Team Super Badgers, one of the few all-freshman entries, was surprised to learn their application had been accepted. Teammate Brennan Schumann said a friend submitted the form and informed him the following day that they had been selected. The event was hosted by Jada Cerniglia, a UW-Madison volleyball alumna, and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet, both of whom were making their debut at a Red Bull event. Colton had previously judged the race in two other locations.

The audience included prospective students, local residents, and friends of the competitors. Tohnie, a UW-Madison alum who previously lived on Langdon Street, expressed her fondness for returning to the area. She described the location as her home away from home.