Student gladiators put on their race faces and Red Bull helmets while battling in the 2nd annual Red Bull Chariot Race yesterday at the University. Red Bull sponsors the entire event which gives a modern twist on ancient Greek chariot races with student involvement from the Greek system and other campus organizations.

Teams began racing at 6 p.m. on 6th and Green street for the event which Red Bull expected over 1,000 students to attend.

Eight teams, each composed of three gladiators, participated in the competition by constructing a human-powered chariot. Chariots needed to have two wheels and a strut, and they could not obtain engines or external energy sources to power movement.

Chariots were creatively made from rolling carts, wagons, and one even a bicycle. Teammates had to pull or ride in the two-wheeled craft during the race.

Anna Tanadlia, freshman in Media, said she has attended many Red Bull events this year and thought this event was successful.

“It’s an easy way to get kids out to come support Red Bull and support our school with our classmates,” Tanadlia said.

MC DJ Rock City from Chicago and the official Red Bull Chariot Race team hosted the event and kept the crowd pumped between races.

Gladiators got competitive and two teams collided twice during a semi-final round of races. A wallet, shoe and teammate were left behind during the violent charge to the finish line. Some competitors received battle wounds but nobody was seriously injured.

Tim Kruckeberg, sophomore in ACES, competed for the first time and lead his team, Case Race, to victory. Kruckeberg helped pull the chariot and said that he would absolutely participate next year. Kruckeberg said he had an awesome time despite being exhausted after competeting.

His team won a 500 dollar bar tab at Clybournes.

“The final two laps were extremely hard and very tiring,” Kruckeberg said.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon(SAE) took 2nd place and received their team’s weight in Red Bull drinks.

Brian Essenberg, freshman in DGS, rode SAE’s chariot which he said took them about two hours to build.

“We’ll come back with a little bit of modifications (to the chariot) so hopefully we can win it,” Essenberg said.

Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity whose team name was “She Thinks My Tractor Is Sexy” finished in 3rd place and won four tickets to any concert in Chicago that they choose.

The people’s choice award for team spirit and best costumes was given to the Illinois Men’s Rugby club whose team name was “Redbull Ruggers.” They were awarded a heavy weight champion belt.

The Red Bull team hosted chariot races at eight other universities throughout this spring.