Actor Patrick Dempsey returning to Le Mans.

By: Steven Cole Smith on February 1, 2013

Actor/racer Patrick Dempsey, star of the TV series "Grey's Anatomy" and the owner of his own race team, will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June as a driver and co-owner of a team. The announcement came this morning, as Dempsey was chosen from 71 entries for one of the 56 spots on the grid.

"It's a dream come true," Dempsey tweeted moments later. He will be racing the number 77 Porsche 911 in the GT-Am class, which is for a mix of professional and amateur racers. Dempsey said that it "has been a rough time" for him and partner Joe Foster, "but this proves that in tough times, tough people never quit."

Dempsey is referring to the fact that he and longtime partner Mazda parted ways at the beginning of the season -- Dempsey had been racing a fleet of Mazda RX-8s, but since those cars are out of production, Mazda is no longer supporting them on the track. Dempsey also hoped to use the new diesel engine to power an LMP2 car in ALMS and Le Mans competition, but that engine isn't ready yet, so he and his crew have chosen to go to Le Mans with a Porsche. He raced there in 2009 to a 24th-place finish.

A week ago, Dempsey announced the formation of Dempsey/Del Piero Racing, teaming the actor with Italian soccer star Alessandro Del Piero . The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Dempsey/Del Piero Racing has entered will be fielded in partnership with the experienced Proton Competition racing team.

Dempsey/Del Piero Racing has also confirmed that the team will join with Porsche and field a two car GTC-class effort in the 2013 American Le Mans Series. The 2013 Dempsey/Del Piero GTC-class entries will be driven by 2011 Grand-am champion Andrew Davis who will pair with experienced Porsche GTC-class competitor Michael Avenatti and multi-year GT3 Cup Champion Bob Faieta in the No. 10 Porsche 911 GT3. As international football fans are well aware, Del Piero has a long and storied history with the number 10.

Dempsey will share his number 27 Porsche 911 GT3 with three-time Grand-Amc hampion, and four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winne, Andy Lally, as well as long-time racing partner Joe Foster.

“What great news today here in Paris,” said Dempsey, who was in attendance at the ACO announcement in France. “Our entire team is excited to work with Porsche, Michelin and the Proton Competition team to bring our 24 Hours of Le Mans goal to fruition. This news, combined with the opportunity I have to run with Andy Lally in the ALMS, gives our new program with Alessandro Del Piero added excitement for sure. It should be an exciting 2013 for all of us.”

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130201/f1/130209986