New Aston Martin GT3 Evo from Walkenhorst, ABT-Lamborghini in Red Bull design, new design also for the works BMW M4 GT3 of the Junior Team, Scherer-PX with Audi R8 LMS, the Mercedes-AMG teams Getspeed and HRT and last but not least the "Grello" Porsche from Manthey Ema - renowned top teams not only from the GT3 camp use the prologue of the new Nürburgring Endurance Series to prepare intensively for the new Nürburgring season. The crème de la crème of the drivers will also be taking part in the test and set-up runs on Friday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on the 24.358 km long NES.combination of Nordschleife and sprint circuit. From Lucas Auer (AUT) to Daniel Juncadella (ESP), Christopher Mies and Frank Stippler (both GER), David Pittard (GBR) and Nicki Thiim (DEN), Maro Engel (DEU), Raffele Marciello (SUI), Thomas Preining (AUT) and Augusto Farfus (BRA), to name but a few. A real treat for all motorsport enthusiasts, who can follow the action-packed action on the track and in the paddock for a full 15 hours with free admission and free parking, including free entry to the ring°werk motorsport experience museum on Saturday. 

New season, new series, new asphalt, new cars
There are many new features at the start of the season. A look at the provisional list of participants for the two test days will make the hearts of racing fans beat faster. The field includes impressive GT3 and GT4 racing cars from Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Toyota as well as the striking KTM X-BOW, numerous Cup cars from the Porsche and BMW camp and more compact touring cars such as the Hyundai i30N, MINI JCW and BMW M2 CS. 
The Jung Motorsport team is fielding two Cupra Leon cars. "These are cars that we have completely rebuilt over the winter," explains Team Principal Tobias Jung. "It's always an exciting feeling when you take the cars onto the Nordschleife for the first time." The participants will also be able to take on the newly asphalted Fuchsröhre section of the track for the first time. A total of 4,000 tons of new asphalt were laid in the fast passage during the winter. A new kerb has already caused some discussion in the relevant networks over the past few days, and now the lines can also be tested in the race car. 

Beitske Visser (NED) and Fabienne Rosa Wohlwend (LIE) in the BMW M4 GT4, Jasmin Pawlowitz (GER) in the GT4 Audi R8 and Jasmin Preisig (SUI) in the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 will also be involved in the intensive testing. 

From the glacier to the Green Hell
Red Bull Team ABT presented its Lamborghini Huracán for the new season in the Tyrolean glacier village of Hochgurgl at the beginning of the week. The Italian racer will be racing in the Green Hell at the NES Prologue. "It's finally starting again," says driver Jordan Pepper. "The Nordschleife is pure goosebumps! There's nothing like it anywhere else in the world! So I'm really looking forward to it, we're ready." There will also be a premiere for Walkenhorst Motorsport, which is entering an Aston Martin for the first time after many years with BMW. 
The drivers are delighted, including veteran Frank Stippler, who will be competing in an Audi from the Scherer Sport PHX team: "It is always an enormous privilege to be able to drive on the most beautiful race track in the world. This is true in general, but even more so after the long winter break. That's why I'm delighted that we're finally back on track!" Maro Engel, who will be competing for Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed, also makes no secret of his anticipation: "I can hardly wait to finally complete the first Nordschleife laps again. The restart is something very special every year because the track is simply incredible. We certainly have a lot of work ahead of us this time, as we have a new tire to get used to, for example. But I'm looking forward to finally getting started again together with everyone."