Racing With Tetris - Matt Luff Interview
Find out what inspired this pro racer to add some Tetris style to his car, and what he loves about Tetris!
Matt Luff is an incredibly talented junior race car driver from the UK with a firm love of Tetris. On the track, Matt drives a car that has caught the eye of millions of Tetris fans… when they can keep up with his impressive speed, that is! Decked out in full Tetris style, it’s easy to see why Matt’s car garners so much attention. After all, it has one heck of a talented junior racer behind the wheel!
We were curious to know why Matt chose to decorate his car with a Tetris theme, and what the life of a junior race car driver is really like. Below, you’ll find out a little bit more about who Matt Luff is, and why he decided to add those awesome Tetris designs to his beloved race car!
Q: First, tell us a little bit more about yourself and how you got involved in racing?
A: My name is Matt Luff, I have just turned 16, and I race in the Ginetta Junior Championship in the United Kingdom. My interest in motorsport started when I was 9 and I was invited to a friend’s birthday party at a local karting circuit in Brentwood Essex. I loved it and was instantly hooked!
For my own birthday, my parents took [me] back to the track and I started racing in their race league. I learned a lot and eventually won the championship, The Brentwood Karting Race League. Since then, I progressed very well in karting, winning the Sodi World Championship twice. This year I moved from karting to cars and started racing in the Ginetta Championship.
Photo Credit: © Jakob Ebrey Photography
Q: What inspired you to put Tetris on your race car above everything else?
A: I really enjoy the game and use it as a tool to help with my pre-race preparation. The logo looks really good and I think it really makes my car stand out above all the others; I also have the Tetris Blocks on the roof of the car.
Q: What has the response been like from the racing community regarding your Tetris car?
A: It generates a lot of interest and it’s known as “The Tetris Car” and I’m sometimes referred to as “The Tetris Driver” so the response has been positive and results in both me and my car being well known around the paddock.
Q: Was it difficult adding Tetris themed decals to your car? What was the process like?
A: It really is difficult as the logo is rather large and the bonnet of the car isn’t flat, so fitting the logo is difficult. I’m forever keeping my mechanic Dan busy and putting the decals on is a challenging job which he also has to do.
Photo Credit: © Jakob Ebrey Photography
Q: When did you first discover Tetris, and what’s your favorite Tetris game right now?
A: I played Tetris a little when I was younger but never really used it as a performance tool until recently. I’d say 2015. I play it a lot now, especially on race weekends. It calms me down and allows me to focus really well.
It’s a great distraction if I start to worry about an upcoming race, I play Tetris and it helps me to relax. One of my favourite Tetris games right now is Tetris Ultimate, I play it on my PS4.
Q: Is anyone in your family a huge Tetris fan? If so, what do they think of your Tetris car?
A: My mum had used it a few times, but I am the only person who uses it very often. I’m glad I use it more than them as if they too started playing Tetris a lot we would forever be trying to beat each other’s score, we are all very competitive. My family love the car and the Tetris design, my mum suggested the Tetris blocks on the roof.
Q: What’s the one thing you like most about Tetris?
A: I like the later levels when the game goes faster; it really keeps me on my toes and gets me fully focused on the game.
Photo Credit: © Jakob Ebrey Photography
Q: Tell us about one of your proudest racing moments.
A: I’m hoping to still have a few more proud moments, hopefully this season, but currently one of my proudest moments was winning the Sodi World Championship for the 2nd time. No one has ever done them before. I hope that at the end of this season I will have a list of proud racing moments.
Q: Have you ever played Tetris to calm your nerves before a big race?
A: All the time, this is the game’s biggest benefit to me, it really helps and it’s vital to my race weekend. Without it, I wouldn’t be as focused as I am at the moment. It really is very important to my current racing season.
Q: What’s the hardest race you’ve ever been a part of, and what were some of the things that helped you overcome it?
A: Currently in this championship every race is a hard race and it just keeps getting harder. This is something I enjoy, as I use many different tools to help me overcome each race.
Tetris is a very helpful tool, so is my race prep. There are a few things I do before getting into the car such as warming up, going on a short run, press-ups, stretches, and a few minutes to myself to prepare mentally for each race. It really is very intense in the championship.
Q: Are there ever times where you picture Tetris while you’re racing?
A: Actually there has been. It’s really funny, sometimes when I try to overtake a rival I see a gap between two cars and I pretend my car is a Tetris block and I go for the overtake. Sometimes it works, and sometimes… let’s just say it would be game over!
Q: What’s a bigger test of your reflexes, the hardest mode in Tetris, or racing?
A: I do enjoy Tetris but it’s the racing that wins this one. The start of a race is especially difficult, your reflexes have to be perfect to get the perfect start and the starts are so important, a slow start could destroy my race.
Photo Credit: © Jakob Ebrey Photography
Q: What are some of your long-term racing goals?
A: I really want a career in racing and hope to have Tetris along with me for the journey. I’m confident it will be an amazing journey with a few bumps in the road, but I am really hopeful the result will be great.
My goals for the moment are to learn a lot and try really hard for next season to be a real championship winning force. Long term, I would love to travel the world as a professional racing driver and see all the different tracks and take part in many different challenges. One thing I won’t be forgetting is to pack Tetris in my suitcase!
Q: Lastly, what advice would you give to people who aspire to do what you do?
A: Three words … never give up! It’s so difficult, but you have got to keep trying, there will be some many challenges and so many setbacks, but you have just got to keep trying and stay focused. One of the best things I have read, other than my Tetris high score is, “If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.”
We thank Matt for taking the time to answer our questions, and for his inspirational take on both Tetris and racing. If you want to stay up-to-date on Matt’s racing, be sure to follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
While we may not be talented racers like Matt, we can still race ourselves in Tetris. To help you practice and increase your speed, be sure to click here and play a few rounds of Tetris right here on our website!
