Utah Grand Prix - Live reporting from the VICI Racing pits

3:45 PM The session is over, Roland is examining the data and he is quietly satisfied with the progress made today. “We tried the new tires that Kumho wanted to work though and bedded in the new car although it isn’t set up for this track, and have got long trouble-free runs on both cars in. We have completed today’s schedule, now we need to study the data and prepare for tomorrow.”

3:25 PM “With five minutes remaining Francesco turns in a 1:56.832, followed straight up by a 1:56.969, consistent, solid lapping that has Technical Director Roland Wall happy with his progress. Nathan meanwhile wraps up a long cockpit session with a 1:55.493 and on his last tour, a 1:54.918.

3:00 PM “I like the track,” reports Ruben, who has been discussing the new tire compounds with Jason Myers. "It’s quick but dirty off the line; the car was ok, the tires are getting better, they have good grip in the high speed corners, and we are climbing in a good way. Francesco meanwhile is running very well for his first run in an RSR and in fact on what is a major career step upwards.

2:15 PM When the test session went green at 2:05PM Nathan (in the #5) and Nicky (in the #18) took to the track on what was rapidly turning into a hot and sunny Utah afternoon. With the #18 turning its wheels in anger for the first time, Nicky embarked on a string of installation laps with the team quickly bringing him back into the pits for a quick check over. Back on circuit the Dutch former F3000 champion and ChampCar driver turned in a 1:57.422 after 13 minutes as he dialled the car in.

11:15 AM It's turning into a beautiful day at the Miller Motorsports Park, the rolling flat valley is bookended by snow clad mountains, providing an unrivalled setting of racing cars in action in front of glistening white peaks. In the paddock the Pastorelli brothers are in discussion with Technical Director Roland Wall.

9:45 AM Today’s 90 minutes of track time will comprise of a promoter test session, with the action getting underway at 2:05 PM. The first 30 minutes will be reserved for the GT1 and GT2 cars with the final 90 minutes open to all classes, meaning that the LMP1 and LMP2 cars will be out on the 3.06 mile ‘Perimeter’ circuit which is being used for the first time by the ALMS, on its third visit to this superb facility. In the garage the morning activity of getting the cars prepared is going like clockwork.

9:15 AM The #18 car will be carry one of two Speed TV on board television cameras in operation this weekend; and the engineers have just been into our garage to install it.

8:05 AM Three exciting young drivers will be in the cockpit of the brand new #18 car, and at this track the trio will all be driving the VICI Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in race action for the first time on Sunday. The team’s new Brazilian pilot Ruben Carrapasoto will get his first full cockpit time after impressing everyone during a handful of practice laps at St. Petersburg with his assured and fast pace, while Nicky Pastorelli returns to the team to be joined by his promising younger brother Francesco. Nicky's already in the pits and looking forward to getting on track this afternoon.

7:05 AM We're at the Miller Motorsports Park today in Utah, for the fourth round of the 2008 American Le Mans series which takes place on Sunday, and big changes are in store for VICI Racing. We have expanded to a two car line up, with the brand new #18 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR having just been delivered to the team, and joining the #5 in the garage. It's going to be a busy few days, but the crew are all very excited and are now knuckling down to prepare for this afternoon's first track runs.