Derby Does Dallas--and Austin and Seattle, Too

By Adam Pitluk, Julie Rawe

According to their recruiting materials, the Dallas Derby Devils are "looking for a few bad women"--black fishnets and tongue studs optional. As one of the nation's newest roller-derby leagues, the sexed-up Triple D's reflects the sport's new look, one that's decidedly different from the old '70s slamdango. Sweatbands and tank tops have been replaced by spiked collars and sultry schoolgirl uniforms. Gone, too, are the banked tracks of yesteryear, as the sport expands into less expensive arenas such as parking lots and tennis courts.

So-called flat tracks, which are cheaper to build and bring the action closer to spectators, are helping roller derby mount a monster comeback across the U.S. At least 20 flat-track leagues have popped up in the past few years, in contrast with half a dozen still using the old tracks. "Banked track is the sport of dinosaurs," says flat-track pioneer Lacy Attuso, a.k.a. Whiskey L'Amour of the Texas Rollergirls in Austin. "We're the new wave." Attuso, who is a p.r. exec by day, says the Rollergirls are creating "a coalition of the willing" that will hash out official flat-track rules in Chicago this summer. And the league's inaugural meeting comes none too soon. "The injury rate in flat track is extremely high," warns Tim Patten, owner of the old-school Bay City Bombers. "Their play gets dirty real quick." --By Adam Pitluk and Julie Rawe