Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring - Live reporting from the VICI Racing pits

7:40 PM Departing the circuit, although the engineers are still at work, climbing the steep humped bridge from the infield over Turn 17, the clear Florida sky is a mix of blue and pink hues as the sun slides swiftly out of sight. The beauty of the setting sun casts its long shadow over the track, adding to the building atmosphere. At this time tomorrow night the headlights will be fully on as the more than 30 strong field races through the gloom during the final session of Thursday.

6:15 PM The whole paddock is a hive of activity, and non more so than the VICI racing garage, as the sun begins to set. Tomorrow is a big day, we have a morning free session, final qualifying takes place late afternoon, before the night practice session. There's a lot of work to be done. Everyone is enthusiastic and it is going like clockwork. The engineers get up very early and go to be late.

3:15 PM The second and final practice of Wednesday is over. Craig carried out all driving duties over the 55 minute duration allowing him to feedback on set up changes. De brief is underway. Craig posted a best time of 2:06.368 (average speed 105.406 mph) on the penultimate lap of the 14 he ran. A promising session. Early on the #5 car was running top-5 in the GT2 class before the focus of the program shifted to other priorities. Reports from trackside reckoned the car was pulling pretty well.

1:35 PM We're 10 minutes away from second practice. And the talk is about tires. ALMS GT2 is the most competitive and professional sportscar class in the world at the moment, and developing a tire that can take on the very best in this arena is a big, big challenge. And there is no better way of carrying out this program than in racing conditions. But, the sting in the tail is that everyone is watching.

11:15 AM New team member Craig is widely known as the 'fittest man in motorsport'. And with very good reason. He trains at least 30 hours a week and as well as the ardour's of 12-hour endurance motorsport such as this week he also races mountain bikes and fits in surfing, both disciplines where he also has a strong reputation. He even has a climbing wall in his back garden! And with five kart tracks located within an hour of his Long Beach, California, home he tries to make sure he gets behind the wheel almost every day.

11:00 AM First session is over, just. Nathan and Craig have shared the car, the pair will be undertaking the development testing today which will once again closely focus on the Kumho Tires. Craig is making points to team owner Ron Meixner; Roland meanwhile has changes to make to the car today and he is immediately analysing the data gathered during the opening session.

10:40 AM The flag drops and the session is over. History oozes through every pore of this circuit, the patched, concrete track has witnessed countless legends made on it over the last half century. When the engines fire up and we stand in the hot pit, the excitement truly grips. Everyone is smiling, glued to the monitors and willing their car on. VICI Racing is no different, a highly professional development-focused team, winning is the ultimate motivation, it drives these achievers forward to me goals, everyone is proud to wear this team's colours.

10:30 AM Ten minutes remaining of the first session; Nathan has handed over to Craig, who is quickly running in the low 2:07 bracket, and has turned in his session fastest lap in 2:07.081. That's an average of 104.815 mph round this track, and with 32 cars on the circuit its getting busy out there.

08:30 AM Busy day today at Sebring! Today the event gets underway with two practice session which are combined for all classes (LMP1, LMP2, GT1 and GT2) the first is 10:00 to 10:55 AM, the second from 2:15 to 3:10 PM. It's a glorious day and the cars, vans, motorhomes, trailers and motorbikes that have been camped out in a field next to the main gate are rolling into the circuit. It's bright and sunny, everyone is upbeat as the atmosphere grows.