Patrick Dempsey: Movie Star and Occasional Racer
When Patrick Dempsey isn’t starring on the big screen, he enjoys participating in motorsports—and he’s pretty good at it, too.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Patrick Dempsey has more talents than just starring in romantic comedies—he’s also an avid
motorsports
participant. When he’s not acting in movies for the big screen, Patrick Dempsey can often be found participating in thrilling racing events. The movie star’s racing journey is quite an interesting story.
Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
, takes a look.Patrick Dempsey has participated in racing for a while
Patrick Dempsey has loved car racing since the early days of his acting career, and even has his own racing company. In March 2002, Dempsey launched his brand Dempsey Racing with partner Joe Foster to grow his love of racing. Since the early 2000s, Dempsey himself has raced many times.
According to
Patrick Dempsey Racing
, in December 2006, Dempsey made five Continental Tire Series starts in racing. In May 2007, Dempsey debuted in the Rolex Series GT competition with Foster and Espendlaub in the No. 40 Mazda’s first race. In July 2007 brought Dempsey a career-best finish of sixth place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. And more recently, he was the first person to ever race an Ashton Martin Vantage GT4, plus took home third place in the Circuit of Americas Race.
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For Dempsey, racing brings clarity
Clearly, motorsports aren’t just a hobby for Patrick Dempsey. Not only is racing something he’s good at and has participated in for a while, but he’s also passionate about the sport. In a recent interview with
Men’s Journal
, Dempsey describes the feeling of being on the racetrack as one unlike any other. “You don’t think much while you are in that seat,” Dempsey told Men’s Journal. “It is cleansing in that way. It empties the mind.” For Dempsey, although racing involves physically moving at a rapid pace, it slows his mind. The act of participating in a motorsport brings clarity, focus, and harmony, for Dempsey and for other race car drivers.
His favorite car is a 1963 Porsche
In the same Men’s Journal interview, Patrick Dempsey shared the one racing car that will always hold a place in his heart—a 1963 Porsche 356. Although Dempsey has purchased a number of
Porsche vehicles
over the years, the Porsche 356 will always be his favorite. Dempsey purchased the vehicle over 30 years ago after filming Can’t Buy Me Love. Dempsey describes the 1963 Porsche 356 as giving him an emotional experience every time he drives it. He loves the vehicle because it’s a classic car that’s still driveable at fast speeds, and for him it has always been a dream car.
Big things are ahead for Dempsey’s racing career
Patrick Dempsey has been participating in motorsports for over 20 years now, and it doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down anytime soon. He was recently seen soaring down the temporary Qatar Airways Race Track that hosted
Formula E racing
, a movement that brings together electric cars and racing to create a more sustainable future for the sport.Whether Patrick Dempsey decides to dive into this new form of racing, or add on more appearances at the world’s most prestigious racing events, we’re confident we’ll see him behind the wheel again soon.
4.7
