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Just an example of the fun chariots from past races across the U.S..
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Marketing Student Organizing Red Bull Chariot Races at WIU

September 18, 2013

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MACOMB, IL - When Tyler Fowler, a Western Illinois University senior marketing major from Lombard (IL), graduates in May 2014, he'll have plenty of marketing-related experience under his belt (or in this case, toga wrap).

Fowler has served as a student brand manager for Red Bull® since November 2012, and as part of his job, he's responsible for organizing, marketing and producing Red Bull's 2013 Chariot Race [redbullchariotrace.com] on the WIU campus Sept. 27. An interest meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 in the University Union Board Room.

Teams of three individuals will race their homemade chariots to the finish line for a chance to win prizes from Red Bull (first place: skydiving with the Red Bull Air Force; second place: a $50 gift certificate for each team member to a local business/University Union; and third place: a case of Red Bull for each team member). In addition, there will be People's Choice Awards for the most creative chariot and best costumed team.

The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 on West Murray Street, between Avery and Charles streets, directly east of campus. Approximately 12-16 teams of three will race bracket-style in head-to-head heats in a 100-foot loop. The first to cross the finish line will move to the next round. Numerous WIU groups and organizations have already signed up, including Western's ROTC and Sigma Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Lambda Alpha Epsilon and Department of Management and Marketing representatives, as well as such Macomb businesses as Campus Point/Campus Manor Apartments. There is no cost to participate in the race (or to watch).

Red Bull has sponsored this alcohol-free event at colleges and universities throughout the United States for three years.

In addition to his work with Red Bull marketing their product, Fowler is the pledge educator for WIU's Omicron Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity, a Student Orientation leader, and the president of Men Advocating Non-Violence (M.A.N.).

"We are looking forward to this event, and supporting the students involved in organizing and participating in this unique activity," said Marketing and Management Chair Craig Conrad. "I don't expect our chariot to be pretty, and I'm not sure of our performance at our age given the competition, but it will be a fun event."

For more information about the Red Bull Chariot Race at WIU Sept. 27 or to register, contact Fowler at TC-Fowler@wiu.edu. More information can also be found at Facebook at facebook.com/events/436064343173639/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing