• Advertise
  • Contact
Saturday, January 23, 2021
NEWSLETTER
duPont REGISTRY Daily
No Result
View All Result
  • Cars
    • Aftermarket
    • Aston Martin
    • Audi
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Drako Motors
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Lotus
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce
    • Tesla
  • For Sale
  • Dealers
    • Dealer Details
    • Dealer Virtual Tours
    • All Dealer News
  • Real Estate
  • Watches
  • Lifestyle
    • Marine
    • Detailers
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
    • Aviation
  • Celebrity Cars
  • Magazine
    • Discover the Cover
    • Uncovered
    • Shop Issues
  • Shop Cars
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
duPont REGISTRY Daily
  • Cars
    • Aftermarket
    • Aston Martin
    • Audi
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Drako Motors
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Lotus
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce
    • Tesla
  • For Sale
  • Dealers
    • Dealer Details
    • Dealer Virtual Tours
    • All Dealer News
  • Real Estate
  • Watches
  • Lifestyle
    • Marine
    • Detailers
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
    • Aviation
  • Celebrity Cars
  • Magazine
    • Discover the Cover
    • Uncovered
    • Shop Issues
  • Shop Cars
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
No Result
View All Result
duPont REGISTRY Daily
No Result
View All Result

Patrick Dempsey: From Actor to Racer

by Tommy Gorman
July 8, 2013
in Monday Motivation

971243_10151601692504694_1062539048_n

Ladies are in love with him, and guys want to be him. Patrick Dempsey, 47, seems to be the All-American guy, portraying likable characters on television and movies, and above all, becoming a legend on the racetrack.

Dempsey is the lead driver and owner of Dempsey Racing, and is also in his fourth full season of GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT class competition. He is part of the only All-American team along with Joe Foster and Patrick Long, competing in the Le Mans race in France, which is a 24-hour endurance race. Dempsey has been driving competitively for ten years now and says if he could, he would give up acting completely and become fully invested in Porsche racing.

980735_10151602796689694_1020131350_o

Dempsey first became a well-known actor in the 1980s, playing exuberant and charming characters. His first movie was called “Heaven Help Us,” a 1960s school-age comedy that premiered in 1985. He later played an epileptic teen who sues his parents in order to have brain surgery in the 1986 film, “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color: A Fighting Choice.”  Dempsey eventually climbed the Hollywood latter in the 90s movies, “Coupe de Ville,” the action thriller, “Run,” and “Face the Music.”

In the late nineties, Dempsey reinvented himself and took on more daunting roles such as a recurring role as Will’s closeted sportscaster in the sitcom “Will and Grace” in 1998, and in another TV series, “Once and Again,” in which he earned a dramatic Emmy nomination for in 2001 as an Outstanding Guest Actor. But Dempsey didn’t really become a big Hollywood name until his breakout role on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Derek Shepherd in 2005. Audiences were hooked and became slightly obsessed with his charm, good looks and intelligent humor. He is a two-time Golden Globe nominee, which has given Dempsey what he’s needed to skyrocket in films such as “Enchanted,” “Made of Honor,” and “Freedom Writers.”

[quote align=”left” color=”#000000″]I just love racing. I love this world of camaraderie, the development of it and the mental and physical challenge.[/quote]

Movie goers and TV buffs are very familiar with Dempsey, but there are others who know him as an incredible racecar driver. His first competitive driving experience was a three-day Skip Barber Racing School course, a gift from his wife in 2004. He also competed in the Panoz GT Series as a graduate of the Panoz Racing School, and in 2005 he competed in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach, the Mazdaspeed Miata MX-5 Cup and the Panoz GT Series.

In 2007, Dempsey debuted in the Rolex Series GT competition at Miller Motorsports Park with Foster. He also ran seven GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge races with a series career-best finish of sixth with Charles Espenlaub, a regular stand-in for Dempsey, at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

963736_10151602795974694_1472062874_o

On June 23, 2013, Dempsey and his Dempsey Del Piero Racing team finished fourth in their class at the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Racing in a No.77 Porsche 911 GT3, Dempsey and Long each led the race twice, and Foster raced in the top three. Dempsey and Foster also saw remarkable results when they advanced five finishing positions from their ninth-place GT2 showing in their 2009 Le Mans first appearance.

“It was just a great race,” says Dempsey. “We came up just a little short on the podium, but we will reach that goal soon enough. We had a great time.”

Even though fourth place is looked upon as amazing, it’s quite possible that a flat tire in the race’s first hour prevented the team from finishing in the top three. “The only operational difference between us and third place was an errant flat tire in the first hour of the race,” says Foster. “It was a puncture caused by debris. There were no problems all race with the Michelins, but we were then basically out of sequence for the next 23 hours.”

Premiering August 28 at 10 p.m. on the Velocity network, is the four-part mini series called “Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans.” It has been two years in the making and is affiliated with Discovery. The documentary will focus on his return to Le Mans and also the great lineage of other actors who have taken part as racecar drivers including James Garner, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.

“It’s quite remarkable that I am even mentioned in that group, but Steve McQueen was a great driver and came in second place at the Sebring. He never got to race here, but made a beautiful movie called Le Mans, which really captured the essence of Paul Newman who only got to race here once.”

971469_10151616853339694_848035049_n

Dempsey’s achievements don’t end there, though. He’s been married for 14 years to Jillian Fink and has had three children. And after his mother battled ovarian cancer, he started The Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing, which is a focal part of cancer care at the Maine Medical Center. In 2008, Dempsey donated $250,000 to the medical center, which provides free education, integrated medical services and health care to anyone impacted by cancer. To generate additional money for the fund, Dempsey has held an annual bike race that has made nearly $1 million. His All-American attitude is undeniable. He’s also campaigned for the Tony Hawk Foundation, which is dedicated to seeking improvements in society, especially on supporting youth power.

But if Dempsey could choose one passion, he’d give up acting all for racing. “I just love racing,” says Dempsey. “I love this world of camaraderie, the development of it and the mental and physical challenge. And to be at this level with so much attention on us as a team is quite exciting. It’s very challenging.”

This guy is quite the role model, and it seems as though Dempsey is just beginning. Going into its tenth season of Grey’s Anatomy, Dempsey continues to dominate in his career and motorsports. This is an example of a truly admirable person. Sensational on and off the racetrack, Dempsey is becoming a legend.

(Picture Source: Official Patrick Dempsey Racing Fan Page)

FacebookLinkedInTweetPinEmail

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe

Related Posts

Monday Motivation

Sabine Schmitz: Queen of the ‘Ring

June 17, 2018

Cute and courageous, Sabine Schmitz is known as the Queen of the ‘Ring. Schmitz is a professional German motor racing...

Read more
The Beradino: A Story of a Dream
Monday Motivation

The Beradino: A Story of a Dream

March 31, 2014

Every child dreams of owning their favorite car. Whether a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche or what have you, there is always...

Read more
American Automotive Legend: Henry Ford
Ford

American Automotive Legend: Henry Ford

November 18, 2013

Henry Ford and Thomas Edison (Source: Ford) When we admire advancements in American automobile manufacturing, there...

Read more
The Artistic Automotive Design of Ettore Bugatti
Bugatti

The Artistic Automotive Design of Ettore Bugatti

October 7, 2013

Grandson of an architect. Son of a designer of art-nouveau furniture and jewelry. Nephew of a painter. Brother of a...

Read more
When John DeLorean Ruled the Streets
Monday Motivation

When John DeLorean Ruled the Streets

September 23, 2013

Change is the only constant, and enacting change is constantly difficult. Changing the auto industry seems like an insurmountable task,...

Read more
Monday Motivation: Gale Banks and Diesel Dreams
Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation: Gale Banks and Diesel Dreams

August 26, 2013

(Source: tundraheadquarters.com) Gale Banks has never been happy with things as they were. He’s always felt...

Read more
Elon Musk: Tony Stark in Real Life
Monday Motivation

Elon Musk: Tony Stark in Real Life

August 12, 2013

Elon Musk and the Tesla Model S (Source: businessweek.com) Yesterday’s science fiction is today’s science, making...

Read more
Could Paul Walker’s Character Make a Comeback in Fast & Furious?
Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation: Paul Walker’s Life of Cars

August 5, 2013

The Fast and Furious series is an incredibly successful automotive movie series whether you love them or not. Each movie...

Read more
Load More

Popular Posts

  • 65. DJI 0060 scaled 1

    Home of the Day: Spectacular $18 Million Point Lot Mega Mansion

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bianco Benny 2016 Pagani Huayra For Sale – Chassis #67 of 100

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 200 Classics From the Muscle Car City Museum Being Auctioned by Mecum

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Anuel Buys Bugatti Veyron From Wires Only

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is the Fastest Lamborghini?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Categories

  • Automotive News by Make and Model
  • Dealer News
  • Real Estate
  • Gear
  • Celebrity Cars
  • Events

Site Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Site
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Personal Information

About Us

duPont REGISTRY Daily

duPont REGISTRY DAILY is the ultimate digital media source for connecting both buyers and sellers through compelling content, detailed updates and news from the world of luxury, focusing on automobiles and lifestyle.

© 2020 duPont REGISTRY

No Result
View All Result
  • Cars
    • Aftermarket
    • Aston Martin
    • Audi
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Drako Motors
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Lotus
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche News
    • Rolls-Royce
    • Tesla
  • Dealers
    • Dealer Details
    • Dealer Virtual Tours
    • All Dealer News
  • Real Estate
  • Watches
  • Lifestyle
    • Marine
    • Detailers
    • Events
    • Fashion
    • Gear
    • Aviation
  • Celebrity Cars
  • Magazine
    • Discover the Cover
    • Uncovered
    • Shop Issues
  • Shop Cars
    • Aston Martin
    • Bentley
    • BMW
    • Bugatti
    • Ferrari
    • Jaguar
    • Koenigsegg
    • Lamborghini
    • Land Rover
    • Maserati
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes-Benz
    • Pagani
    • Porsche
    • Rolls-Royce
  • Newsletter

© 2020 duPont REGISTRY

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Popup Button

Add New Playlist

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!