2007 Rolex 24 at Daytona - Live reporting from the XM Satellite Radio VICI Racing pits

12:10 PM With the race approaching its final hour, XM Satellite Radio VICI Racing are ready to leave the Daytona International Speedway. "It wasn't to be this year, but that's simply the way this sports goes and what makes it such a challenge" says Ron, "we will be back though in 2008, refreshed and ready for everything Daytona can throw at us."

11:15 AM Robert Renauer is the junior member of the team; the 21-year-old has jumped straight from the Porsche Carrera Cup in Germany, to the Rolex 24. Team owner Ron sees no problem with this transition, "Robert is very fast," he says, "I started out in the top sports car class at a young age; he has the ability to make it so he should get on with it. Meanwhile, Robert is pleased with his own performance, although he only got one stint in the car. "It was very good out there," he recounts this morning, "I had some good laps, my fastest laps were in the 47.9s, and that's only one second behind Uwe, so I'm very happy with that. There was very much traffic, but the track was good, and it was clean," adds the German youngster.

11:00 AM The race might be over for XM Satellite Radio VICI Racing, but for the team's irrepressible Logistics Manager Doug Smith he's just as busy as he ever is. It's a big operation to pack a racing team up, especially at an event as big as this; and he also has to shoot off to settle up accounts with suppliers. He knows everybody and always has time for everybody; its all part of keeping people on side, when he needs something fast he knows he can count on people responding instantly. Respect in motor racing is earned, Doug earned it many years ago.

10:15 AM While the team pack up, the drivers are in demand for interviews. Nicky is in the media centre in front of the TV cameras. "Unfortunately it was a short race,” says the Dutch youngster. "I did one stint which went ok; I had to start when it was dark already so it wasn’t the easiest stint, but I expected it to be difficult with all the traffic and it was. We had dropped back a bit earlier on, but I gained some positions which was good, and I was happy with my stint; but after that it’s a shame the race was over quickly. Hopefully I will back next year, and hopefully I will be able to finish the race. It’s is a great atmosphere, everything is really nice here, I have enjoyed it."

8:00 AM The only positive from retiring yesterday is that the team got to sleep in their hotel beds last night; not much of a consolation though for highly competitive racers, filled with the desire to win. First thing this morning the packing up operation is in full swing.