By NICOLE HUGHES

By NICOLE HUGHES
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- Demolition Derby is not just a man's sport, and Tina Dorsey of Mecca and Sheila Griffeth of Johnston proved that Wednesday at the Trumbull County Fair.
Female participation in the derby isn't really unusual.
"This is the lightest turnout of women," said Jim Pollock, derby announcer.
"Usually we have 10 to 12 women, but this is the first year there is only two."
Dorsey drove car 305 and has been participating in the derby for four years.
"My husband and father-in-law got me into the derby," she said.
They also drove in the derby last night.
"I black out when I am out there," Dorsey said. "I remember the first hit and that's all."
Dorsey's best friend is Sheila Griffeth, who drove car 306.
"I love it -- it's a rush," said Griffeth who has been driving in the derby for six years.
"I recommend this to everyone."
Griffeth said she dedicated her run to her brother, Gary Tarr, who recently died.
"He did a lot for the derby," she said.
In a man's world
The male drivers do treat them differently, but not by holding doors or pushing in their chairs.
"They gang up on us!" Griffeth said.
Dorsey said that it made her mad.
"I wanted to paint my car pink, but my husband said that it would make me stand out more," she said.
The Demolition Derby was broken down into four heats with 14 cars in each.
The final round had 19 cars, and only one could be the winner.
The last two cars running were 113, driven by Justin Pakulniewicz of Warren, and 310, driven by Nick Youngblood of Kinsman.
The last two cars bumped into each other for 17 minutes, and the derby was ended with a disqualification.
Youngblood was eliminated for not making a hit within a minute's time, and 113 made the last good hit, Pollock said.
A $1,500 prize went to Pakulniewicz for winning Wednesday night's derby.
There will be another derby Sunday night at 6 p.m. in the grandstand with fireworks to follow.