Eurosport will produce and broadcast a series of five 13-minute programmes named "Dempsey races Le Mans" in which fans can see exclusive interviews with the Grey's Anatomy star and behind-the-scenes footage from the American Le Mans Series events he will race on the road to Le Mans 24 Hours.
Patrick Dempsey continues the tradition of American cinema stars fascinated by the most famous car racing race in the world, after Steve McQueen who starred in the 1970 classic "Le Mans" movie and Paul Newman who actually raced Le Mans in 1979.
Dempsey made his Le Mans debut in 2009 and finished 9th in the GT2 category driving a Ferrari. This year he is back at Le Mans with a new car, a Porsche, and a new team Dempsey / Del Piero Racing. The co-owner is his friend and football star Alessandro del Piero.
Eurosport's series "Dempsey races Le Mans" starts on Friday.
In the opening episode Patrick Dempsey revealed what Le Mans 24hrs represented for him: “History! You feel that from Monday all the way through the week with the parade, first practice and qualifying, the crowds, the history of the town, all these things. I have had the opportunity to do it once. It was an extraordinary experience. I have changed after that. When you realise a goal of that magnitude, it's so much satisfaction that you want to comeback, do better and improve.”
"Dempsey races Le Mans" series on Eurosport:
- Episode 1: Dempsey's relationship with Le Mans, his private tests at Sebring, the challenge of driving a new car, presentation of his team and of his car
On 8 March at 16:00 on British Eurosport
- Episode 2: the first ALMS race in Sebring, USA
On 6 April at 10:45 on British Eurosport
- Episode 3: the race in Long Beach, USA
On 5 May at 09:15 on British Eurosport 2, at 12:00 on Eurosport
- Episode 4: the race in Laguna Seca, USA
On 2 June at 08:00 on British Eurosport
- Episode 5: Test day in Le Mans, France
On 15 June at 11:00 on British Eurosport
British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2 will broadcast Le Mans 24 Hours qualifying on 19-20 June and will cover every minute of the race LIVE on 22-23 June. Each evening during the week, Eurosport will provide added-value editorial coverage by broadcasting special show "Le Mans 24 Minutes" from the pit lane. "Le Mans 24 Minutes" will include a daily focus on Patrick Dempsey during the whole week.
