Utah Grand Prix - Live reporting from the VICI Racing pits

5:45 PM We're delighted to welcome a new partner to the team, who are with us for the first time this week, luxurymotors.com, the largest on line luxury and prestige car retailer; and we are all looking forward to a successful future together.

3:30 PM Qualifying has just finished. Nicky was entrusted with qualifying the #18. With a conservative approach being called for, the young Dutchman ran four laps; and after his installation lap, he posted a 1:51.715, a 1:51.821 and an 12th place on the grid slot clinching 1:50.893. His average speed on his best lap was 98.95 mph.

3:20 PM We're well into the twenty minute qualifying session now. Two key VICI Racing members in the pits are Team President Ron Meixner and Team Manager Tim Bumps, both are keeping a close eye on the timing screens as the remaining minutes tick down.

2:58 PM A clutch issue ends Nathan's track presence in the #5 car in the closing minutes of the second session and means he is set to miss the 20-minute qualifying run coming up. However with the car set to start from the back of the grid tomorrow as Craig wasn’t able to take part today, the team has more time to resolve the issue and begin preparing the car for tomorrow.

2:20 PM Second practice is underway. Nicky takes out the #18 and Nathan the #5. In the pits Ruben is looking forward to getting more track time. “I’m pleased to get some decent running done in the RSR at last," he says. "It’s been great to be out on the track and the tires are better since I tried the car at St. Petersburg."

10:40 AM  The first session is over. “I’m delighted with the progress made this week, the new generation compounds are a step forward, they are very consistent which will allow us to maintain a good pace," says Jason Myers, Motorsports Services Director, Kumho Tires, as he inspects the new tires used in the last hour's action. "In fact the compounds we brought here to try out well most likely will now used for the race, with doubling stinting being realistic. We have learnt a lot in the past couple of days and having two cars is going to be a very big help.”

10:25 AM The program for VICI Racing and tire development partner Kumho Tires would focus again on allow the new drivers to continue acclimatising themselves with the #18 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR and progress the tire development program which has involved new generation compounds being tested by the team this week. We're five minutes into the first session now.

7:10 AM Saturday dawns with blue skies and quickly rising temperatures; today will see the action in Utah cranking up with two practice sessions of an hour’s duration each (10:20 – 11:20 AM and 1:55-2:55 PM) taking place before the 20-minute qualifying session (3:05-3:25 PM) which is reserved for the GT1/GT2 teams.