Gamer of the Year 2025 Round 1

Monza Mayhem at RAF Lossiemouth – Time Trial Thrills!

Lights out and away we go! The inaugural event of the Gamer of the Year 2025 series kicked off at the RAF Lossiemouth Esports Arena, and from the moment the digital green flag dropped, the pressure was on! The Barrel & Bean was transformed into the ultimate battleground, and the Monza circuit, bathed in perfect 23°C temperatures and a gentle crosswind, set the stage for what promised to be an action-packed time trial.

Forget wheel-to-wheel racing—this was a battle of precision, skill, and the desire to post the fastest lap time in the legendary Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 '13. The question was simple: Who could handle the high-speed challenge of Monza?

The Field Is Set: The Rivals Line Up!

It was a wide-open field, folks. Novices, intermediates, rookies, and seasoned experts all took to the track, all aiming to make their mark in the race for points. And as the clock ticked down, it was anyone's game!

Callum Walker (Novice):

Up first, it was Callum Walker, a newcomer with a point to prove. And prove it he did, setting the early pace with a solid 1:54.745 lap. But let’s not get carried away—his lead wouldn’t last for long. The competition was coming, fast and furious!

Dean Bowditch (Intermediate):

Next, it was Dean Bowditch from the intermediate ranks, and you could feel the tension rise as he blasted around the circuit with a blistering 1:51.884. A bit scrappy at times, but you can’t help but admire the determination on display! He was pushing the limits and made it known: This wasn’t going to be easy.

Ryandeep Beesla (Expert):

Then, the expert in the house: Ryandeep Beesla. And folks, when he unleashed that lap of 1:48.399, it was clear—this was a serious contender. Sub-1:50? A game-changer! The field suddenly knew: If you want to win this thing, you’ll need to step up your game.

Gregory ‘Gus’ Sayle (Rookie):

Meanwhile, over at the rookie camp, Gregory ‘Gus’ Sayle made his debut. It wasn’t the fastest lap of the night, a 2:18, but it was fun, it was spirited, and he was enjoying every moment. It was a reminder: sim racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about having a good time too!

Maisie Cochrane-Edwards (Novice):

Enter Maisie Cochrane-Edwards, another novice who brought plenty of fun and energy to the circuit! A 2:02.156 lap might not break any records, but it sure put a smile on everyone’s face. She wasn’t chasing the leaderboard, but she was chasing pure enjoyment—and that counts for a lot in this game!

Group Captain Sarah Brewin (Complete Novice):

And then, a real surprise—a debut for Croup Captain Sarah Brewin, who’s never raced before, but was determined to give it a go! She slowly, but surely, made progress, setting a 2:45 lap time. It wasn’t about the result; it was about the effort and the fun of it all. She may have been a novice, but she sure had the heart of a champion.

The Storm Hits: Dan Ement’s Masterclass

Then, ladies and gentlemen, came Dan Ement. A true master of the craft. The expert sim racer. And when he posted that lap of 1:48.212, there was no question—he was the one to beat. A flawless run. Precision, speed, and control, all coming together in a virtual symphony of racing excellence. Who would stop him?

The Aftermath: The Road to Glory Begins!

With the time trial officially wrapped up, Dan Ement emerged as the evening champion, sitting atop the leaderboard with all the glory that comes with it. But hold on a second! This is just the start of the Gamer of the Year 2025 series—the championship is far from decided!

If you missed the event (we get it—life on service can be busy!), don’t worry! You’ve still got time to come down to the RAF Lossiemouth Esports Arena and set your own time before the end of March. The clock’s ticking, the competition is heating up, and there’s plenty more action to come.

The RAF Lossiemouth Esports Arena will continue to host these mini events, offering gamers across the board multiple opportunities to set their fastest times and climb the rankings in a variety of different games.

As the competition intensifies, one thing’s for certain: the road to Gamer of the Year 2025 will be full of unexpected twists, high-speed drama, and a fierce battle for every fraction of a second. Monza Mayhem was just the beginning, and with more events ahead, every point will count.