Petit - Live reporting from the VICI Racing pits

8:30 PM The race had been progressing well for the #18 car. However during the last couple of hours the car has suffered a spate of unexpected tire failures, ending our race in the barriers as the race reaches the final hour.

5:15 PM As the first shadows start to make an appearance at Road Atlanta, the team is now entering the final four hour stretch with Francesco behind the wheel of the red, white and black #18 car. The 10-hour/1,000-mile race will end in the darkness, with the yellow headlights that denote the GT2 cars will soon be piercing the gloom.

5:00 PM Roland says that at this stage of the race, caution is the key. "I don't want to take any unnecessary risks at this point; we need to keep it all together. I must say I'm pleased with the team's performance all afternoon; the pitstops have been superb, very quick, all the drivers have run very similar, quick and consistent times. I am taking care now with the car and the tires; I hope that it will be pretty uneventful to the finish."

3:30 PM There can be a lot of hanging around in the pits for the crew in between stops. It's a case of following the timing screens and being prepared at a seconds notice for an unexpected pit visit by the car. It's a hot afternoon here and the fireproof clothing of the crew that go over the wall keeps these members pretty warm.

2:15 PM All three drivers have now been in the cockpit, Nicky is waiting on the pitwall to take over for his second stint of the day.

11:10 AM By the time the pre race festivities, which include the traditional parachutists and playing of the national anthem, are completed, the temperatures were climbing fast and it was 78 degrees (air) and 95 degrees (track) under the sunny, clear sky.

10:55 AM Happiest member of the team, and probably the whole paddock, is Colombian mechanic Daniel. A huge smile is a permanent fixture on his face.

10:50 AM the youngest member of the crew is Max. He's just as hard working and professional as anyone it the team though, and the boy from Maine is a livewire around the paddock as he carries out the string of tasks that are his responsibility.

10:45 AM Nicky will drive the first stint this morning. He's sitting in the minimal shade afforded by the car as the build up relentlessly continues. Smooth, fast and with a reputation for looking after his cars, the 25-year-old Dutch driver, who tested in F1 with the Minardi, Jordan and Midland teams, is the perfect choice to entrust a racing car with down to the first bend of any race.

10:40 AM The build up to the start of the 10-hour/1,000-mile race is entering the final half hour. Technical Director Roland is ready for the action. He's upbeat, the strategy is in place, a long race gives us a greater chance to shine.

8:45 AM The warm-up session is over and we're now into the final preparations for the race. Nicky drove during the warm-uh and he reports that everything is looking looking ok.

8:00 AM Race day gets underway away bright and early with the 25-minute warm up session (8:15-8:40 AM) before the 10 hour or 1,000 mile Petit Le Mans, the 11th round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series goes to green flag conditions at 11:15 AM. The #18 car is in the pitlane as the sun rises in the sky.