If there was ever a question about how serious actor Patrick Dempsey is about racing, then he’s definitely clearing it up now.
Poised to make his second run in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, the “Grey’s Anatomy” star is already generating a buzz after going nose-to-tail with Larbre Competition Corvette driver Ricky Taylor during the preliminary test run.
Racing under the banner of Dempsey Del Piero Racing with the only All-American team, Dempsey is driving the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR sporting No. 77.
The actor’s teammate Patrick Long posted a top lap of 4:04:006 in the car, second to the leading Aston Martin Vantage V8s that swept both of the top spots in the GTE-AM class, according to an official press release.
“It’s great to be back, we are really thankful to be here, and I forgot how much fun it is to be at Le Mans,” said Dempsey, who was turned on to racing in 2004 after receiving a gift from his wife to the Skip Barber Racing School. “Really, this is just a celebration of just being here.”
Dempsey and his other All-American teammate, Joe Foster, finished in ninth-place in the 2009 Le Mans driving a GT2 AF Corse Ferrari F430.
But the actor is in a much better position now. With 16 overall and 98 class wins, as noted an official press release, Porsche is the most successful car manufacturer in the history of the Le Mans 24 hour race.
