(a) A B-movie from the 50′s
(b) A punk rock band from the 70′s
(c) One of Houston’s roller derby teams.

If you guessed (c), you’re right! Roller derby is back, and Houston is a big part of the action. Houston has several local teams including HaRD Knocks, Bayou City Bosse$ and the Brawlers.

Roller derby is exciting and action-packed, and played by women who hit and get hit while wearing fun (and often sexy) costumes. What more could anyone want?

The basic rules of the game involve jammers breaking through a pack of opposing team members. Remember playing Red Rover as a kid? It’s kind of like that, but everyone is moving very fast and wearing roller skates. The animated video below explains how roller derby works if you want a crash course.

Houston matches are held at Kicks Indoor Soccer & Gym at 611 Shepherd in the Heights. You can buy tickets online. Get your tickets and join in the fun!

Wanna Be a Rollergirl?

Maybe you are not content with sitting in the stands and watching, and you want to be in the middle of the action. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. It could be you! Houston Roller Derby hold tryouts periodically when they are looking for new skaters. They have tryouts scheduled on Wednesday 6/23/10, Saturday 6/26/10, and Sunday 6/27/10. All interested girls need to attend all 3 days.

Think you’re woman enough to strap on the skates? Get more information about becoming a roller derby star at the Houston Roller Derby website.

Need some practice? Check out the Machette Betties Boot Camp. They say you will learn how to skate, how to fall (you mean that doesn’t come naturally?), how to take hits and how to play derby.

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1. NHRA Drag Racing Houston NHRA Drag Racing returns to Baytown’s Houston Raceway Park April...

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The NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) is the largest promoter of professional drag racing in the world, and the series features top racers such as John Force, Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon, Ashley Force Hood, Tony and Cruz Pedregon, Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin, Jr., Hector Arana, and many others. Four NHRA classes run at this even: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock Cars and Pro Stock Motorcycles. Top Fuel and Funny Car are nitro powered cars. When they take to the track, it’s like watching (and listening to!) a rocket ship on land.

The NHRA likes to boast that “every ticket is a pit pass,” and the drag racing pits are the most accessible in racing. Spectators can stand within a few feet of the cars as they are prepared by the crews.

NHRA drivers are accessible, too. Most teams have organized autograph events during the weekend, but hang around the pits and you can probably snag a signature from your favorite driver when he (or she) comes out to greet the fans.

That’s another thing: Although most racing series treat the occasional woman driver as a novelty, the NHRA is no stranger to female drivers and female champions. This year’s drivers include Ashley Force Hood, Melanie Troxel, Karen Stoffer, Peggy Llewellyn, and Houstonian Erica Enders.

The finals take place on Sunday, April 11th, so be there to see who snags the coveted Wallys (named after series founder Wally Parks) for winning their classes. Friday and Saturday are good days for watching the action in the pits as it is usually not as crowded as on Sunday.

In addition to the four  NHRA classes, other classes of drag racers will be running during the O’Reilly Spring Nationals, including ProMods and Sportsmen.

Be sure to bring your sunglasses, sunscreen and hearing protection (such as earplugs). You will probably also want a jacket or blanket for the evening sessions—it can get cool, especially up in the grandstands.

For more information on drag racing and the NHRA, see their website at http://NHRA.com/. To order tickets or learn more about Houston Raceway Park, go to http://HoustonRacewayPark.com/.

Image Credit: Michael Stucker, Racing | Photography | Models

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There’s a great display of baseballs signed by everyone from Mickey Mantle and Joe diMaggio to Lou Brock.

The museum is in the customer lounge at the back of the store.

Want to see more of Houston's unusual sights? Get your copy of “Offbeat Houston” and you can see places even the natives don’t know about!

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