Some of you recall our visit to the newly formed Long Beach Roller Derby last year, and this year we had to go again. The girls moved from flat-track concrete slab racing to an elevated banked wooden track, still under the Queen Mary Dome. We expect this time to be faster hard-hitting action! And we weren’t disappointed. Another bonus this year was a cruise with the guys from The Mercifuls Car Club.
We rolled up to Jack’s place in Long Beach in the ’56 Fairlane. Jack’s 57 Pontiac was out front waiting for us with Gary Hardin’s 56 Chevy, Gary Morin’s ’56 Mercury, and Bill Torres’ ’58 Ford. From there we cruised through Long Beach along side of the trolley down Long Beach Blvd, and over to the Queen Mary where we were met with other club members. Parking on the grass in front of the Dome we hung out till the Roller Derby action began. While there the roving reporter and host of local KDOC TV Jo Ankier interviewed Jack and Gordon McIloine about the club and their cars. You can view the video and slide show on our YouTube page.
Under the dome there were vendors including Jeff Styles Pinstriper as well as many others. The evening started with a fire dance display, then the National Anthem and on with the derby action. Tonight the Bixby Rollerettes take on the Belmont Hot Broads. The place was packed. As people vied for seats in the stands there were shouts of over selling. $20 got you a seat in the stands and general admission of $8.00 you were able to watch from the floor at turns 1 and 2. At halftime an all girl rock/punk band “Fly Trap” performed.
Compared to last year, the ladies have raised the bar with more people, and a professional atmosphere (banked track and stands). For me I preferred the intimacy of the flat track. Our feet were literally on the red tape on the floor separating the fans from the racers, no railing or protective barrier there! Maybe they underestimated the crowd a bit, but all-in-all a great time and sure to come back next month August 19th. for a re-match between the Bixby Rollerettes and the Terminal Island Tootsies. Check out their website at www.LongBeachRollerDerby.com and for more on the Mercifuls Car Club visit MercifulsCarClub.com.