WITH the Australian Grand Prix just around the corner, many people watch the racers and dream of competing at their level. With his competitive e-sports career, talented young player Matthew Urbano is actually doing it.
Recently, 24-year-old Kialla local Matthew Urbano was awarded the grand prize of a 5-day, all-expenses-paid trip to the Hungarian Grand Prix for himself and his uncle, after placing first in the Asia Pacific region of the Logitech G Challenge Tournament. This is an international Forza Motorsport competition which is sponsored by McLaren. His bounty also includes a mountain of simulation racing (sim racing) gear, a McLaren racing jacket, hat, not to mention $2,800 AUD in prize money.
The Logitech G Champion Tournament had around 30,000 registered competitors, but Matthew easily secured the fastest time for Asia Pacific in all three of his qualifying rounds. From early on in the competition, he was set up for success.
“I was just relaxing and playing it safe,” he said.
This year’s win marks a redemption from his previous year competing in the Challenge, attributing a last-minute disqualification to his placing third.
“I’m pretty satisfied with my achievement,” said Matthew.
Following last year’s set back, Matthew reached out to a peer from the UK who placed first, seeking mentoring to get his performance up to scratch. This year, both he and his friend placed first in their respective regions and now have the chance to meet in person in Hungary.
The Forza Motorsport racing community is a strong one, with Matthew recently joining Team Highlands Racing, a majority USA based team. Matthew’s mother, Lauretta, remarked on his dedication to making a comeback.
“Matthew was like ‘Oh, it doesn’t matter, I’ll do it again next year,’ and he did.”
“I’m pretty confident in my abilities as a player,” said Matthew.
Lauretta and her son share a passion for racing, spending year after year attending Australia Grands Prix together with Matthew’s uncle Jim, becoming a shared interest for the pair. She recalled the long nights she and Matthew spend each year watching Grands Prix from across the world.
“I’m up at all hours of the night to watch the races with him – people think I’m crazy”. Clearly, their shared dedication for racing has paid off.
While Matthew has concerns about the future of the competition, with the developers behind Forza Motorsport facing significant budget and staff cuts, he said he is looking forward to the Hungarian Grand Prix.
For his own victory lap, he will be taking his uncle Jim, with whom he shares a passion for racing and a love of the Australian Grand Prix, as his official guest alongside his auntie and sister.
