The Texas Rollergirls‘ league season may be over, so that just means the hunt is on for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association‘s national championship.

Austin’s own No. 5-ranked Texecutioners play host to No. 9 Detroit Derby Girls tonight. Considering that this is one of the last big bouts for either team before the regional semifinals (Texas are Houston-bound for the Western Regionals Oct. 3-5, while Detroit head to the Eastern Regionals in Madison, Wis., the following weekend) this will be one of the most eagerly watched derby matchups around the nation this weekend.

But that’s not all. In a special treat for fans who have always wondered what would happen if the two Rages (Bettie and Flame &) were on the same team, there’s the Clash of the Midsummer Night’s Dream Teams. It’s like the ultimate derby fantasy matchup: two fans won the right to recruit and coach their own teams from any skater not busy on the touring team, as well as design the team motif. So this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Holy Hand Grenades take on the Truckin’ Mothers.

The two bouts go down at the Playland Skate Center (8822 McCann Drive), Sunday, Sept. 7. Doors 6.30pm and, yes, tickets still available.

This article appears in September 5 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.