ROME TOWNSHIP - Get your motor runnin’.

If you want to win, that is.

Amid the smell of burning rubber and gasoline, Jamie Walters was able to do just that Wednesday during the demolition derby at the Lawrence County Fair.

He outlasted six other finalists to win the event. After seeing five competitors fall by the wayside, Walters had a familiar opponent in his path to the victory.

His brother, Jason Walters.

“I was glad to see it was him,” Jamie Walters said.

He said he was glad because he knew that both of them would cash in on the prizes. Jamie Walters claimed the $2,000 grand prize and Jason Walters brought home $500. Jamie Walters kept his green No. 40 car alive the longest and Jason Walters drove the black No. 1914.

Jamie Walters had to overcome a significant obstacle along the way. A major mechanical problem forced him to be creative.

“My transmission was going out and I had to turn it off and let it cool down,” he said. “I got lucky I guess.”

The final three consisted of Matt Owen, who drove the No. 33-1/2 car, and the two brothers, who have been competing at regional demolition derbies for about the last 15 years.

Jason Walters, who qualified for the final by winning the third heat, said the $500 will come in handy because his family’s home on County Road 72 - near where his brother lives – recently caught fire and caused enough smoke damage to make it uninhabitable. He said his family is being accommodated by family members.

Jamie Walters, who qualified for the final by winning the first heat, said he’ll probably use his winnings to further his hobby.

“I’ll probably buy some more cars,” Jamie Walters said.

Besides the Walters brothers and Owen, other finalists included Linville Ferguson, Carl Carpenter, Jr., Charles Merritt, and Johnny Cyrus.