The Charlotte Speed Demons have a new home venue for the 2012 season. Starting in February, home games for Charlotte’s women’s roller derby team will be held at the renowned Metrolina Tradeshow Expo located at 7100 Statesville Rd. Since 2010, the team’s games have been held at the First Ward Recreation Center.
“We are pleased to announce that the Charlotte Speed Demons will move to a larger venue in 2012,” said team president Craig Bailey. “Metrolina Tradeshow Expo is a fantastic facility to hold roller derby games. Our fans are going to love it. There will be more track side seating, full concessions including beer, free parking and more. Everyone is looking forward to this move.”
In 1966, Horace Wells opened the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo and it quickly became a vital contributor to the local economy. His daughter, Linda Wells Pistone, took over after his death and has developed it into one of Charlotte’s largest and most versatile facilities with climate controlled buildings, covered mall areas and acres of outdoor exhibit space.
For the past 45 years, the Expo has hosted a variety of events including the state fair, Lollapalooza music festival, professional wrestling, MMA fights, American Pool Players Tournaments, antique shows and consumer shows.
“We are excited to be the host venue for the Charlotte Speed Demons roller derby team,” said Metrolina Tradeshow Expo general manager Rick Lappi. “We look forward to adding their seven family friendly and affordable events to our calendar. Roller derby rounds out our already diverse offering of events.”
Formed in 2010, the Speed Demons are a women’s flat track roller derby team unlike any other in the region. While others incorporate some level of showmanship – stage names, stage makeup or nontraditional sportswear – the Speed Demons have chosen a different direction. To help reinforce the fact that roller derby is a sport, its athletes compete using their legal names and wear traditional sports uniforms. The team is part of the movement to develop roller derby into a professional level sport with an eye on inclusion in the Olympic Games.
The team’s first full season kicked off in February and has exceeded expectations. They ended their home season with a 3-3 record after playing teams from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Roller derby is the fastest growing sport in the country. There are currently more than 1,000 teams in 36 countries with more being formed every day. In December, the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports, which is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the international governing body for all roller skating, recognized roller derby as one of the federations’ disciplines bringing it one step closer to inclusion in the Olympic Games.
“Roller derby is thriving across the globe and for good reason,” added Bailey. “The sport is action packed, exciting and fun for the entire family. It’s like a cross between NASCAR and hockey.”
The Speed Demons kick off the 2012 season on February 25 and hold home games on March 17, April 28, May 19, June 16, July 14 and August 11. Ticket on sale information will be announced at a later date.
