Acura Sports Car Challenge of Mid Ohio - Live reporting from the VICI Racing pits

6:00 PM The qualifying session followed after a very brief break. Technical Director & Chief Engineer Roland Wall evolved a strategy that would prioritize on optimizing the opening stint of the race. With care of the tires deemed a priority, Nicky as scheduled to run three laps. These he ran off in 1:23.905, 1:23.619 and 1:23.378. With traffic from the faster prototypes causing issues, the team was happy to be in great shape for the race tomorrow.

5:10 PM Nicky comes in to hand over to Francesco after 33 minutes. Using tires that were now run in to keep the development focus of the session running the youngster turned in 13 laps as he learnt more about the track and the car, setting a solid pace with his last 11 laps being in the 1:26 bracket.

5:00 PM The day’s second hour-long practice session, again open to all four ALMS classes, kicks off at 4:25 PM; it is scheduled to finish at 5:25 PM with a 15 min break before the 20 min qualifying session got underway. Nicky kicked off proceedings posting four laps in the 1:24 bracket, and a 1:23.436, before a first pit visit after 9 minutes. Back out on track he turned in another four laps before heading for the pits after 20 minutes.

1:30 PM The session finishes. Alex is making notes, a huge amount of data is collected during every session, everything is noted, and the information dissected as the team pushes forward. The last 15 minutes are uneventful: Francesco hadn’t seen the Mid Ohio track before and has little track time in the RSR; however he dialled himself in very well in the half a dozen laps he was in the cockpit for, setting a very respectable best time of 1:26.293.

1:10 PM Over the pitwall the technicians are calm and smooth, they make a difficult high pressure job look much easier than it is. Alex and René personify the team, which prides itself on being ruthlessly professional. Some adjustments are made and new tires fitted before Nicky gets back out after 15 mins. The 25 year old Dutchman was able to continue running in the 1:23 second bracket, turning in a 1:23.378, and next time round, with a third of the session completed, a 1:23.590. He came in on 23 mins and went back out on 27 mins as the focus now shifted to the tire program. After 43 mins Nicky came in to hand over to his 21 year old brother Francesco who would use the session to acquaint himself with the car.

12:10 PM The action on track gets underway at 12:25 PM with a 60 minute free practice session this will be an opportunity to put into practice the set up changes evolved as a result of yesterday’s opening practice sessions on this 2.258-mile 13-turn classic sports car track, which this week ALMS is visiting for the seventh time. Crew Chief Alex and Technician René are preparing to take the car down to the track; Alex reports that everything is going like clockwork today and the team is ready for the session.

11:30 AM Juan Carlos downloads the data from the cars and his laptop is a permanent fixture in his hands, his screens full of graphs and reams of data which breakdown the innermost workings of the RSR. He's another part of the 'multinational' crew: from Costa Rica, he has just completed a degree in mechanical engineering. A key member of the crew Juan Carlos is quietly efficient as he collects data in the heat of the action. Hardworking and enthusiastic this is his first year in motor racing. He started in motor racing at Daytona in January before switching to VICI Racing for the ALMS series.

10:45 AM It's hot at Mid Ohio. With not a cloud in the blue sky, its starting to bake here as we touch the 90s. Under the paddock awning it gets stifling and a large fan keeps the hardworking technicians cool.

9:30 AM LuxuryMotors.com joined the VICI Racing as a key partner in Utah, and they are focused on the team's push up the GT2 grid this year. As the world largest e-commerce automobile retailer, LuxuryMotors.com (www.luxurymotors.com) strives to provide customers with the best selection of new and pre-owned luxury cars through a unique and convenient online buying experience. Its website provides the largest selection from our inventory on the market today. A team of car experts constantly searches the web to guarantee the lowest possible price and the best value for its customers. Purchased vehicles can be conveniently delivered to any location worldwide. Its selection of over 2000 luxury cars are being showcased at different locations and can be test driven at the customer's convenience in a customer friendly atmosphere.

7:30 AM We're on the way to the track. The ALMS series provides an unrivalled diversity with each race throwing up different scenery and the cultural uniqueness. Last time out we were in the high altitude heat and desert-like terrain of Utah surrounded by snow capped mountains. This weekend we are in the lush rolling green countryside of Ohio where tradition runs deep; and on the way to the track we dart past the horses and carts of people whose lifestyles haven't changed for centuries.