WEC: Dempsey scores breakthrough win in Fuji

Actor/racer Patrick Dempsey achieved a lifelong dream on Sunday in Japan as he and the No. 77 Dempsey Proton Porsche team achieved its first FIA World Endurance Championship victory.

Constant rain at the Fuji circuit added an additional challenge for WEC competitors where the six-hour race started with a 17-lap stint behind the pace car, and in the GTE-Am category, drying conditions late in the race added plenty of excitement as Earl Bamber chased down the Dempsey entry in the sister No. 88 Proton Porsche 911 RSR. Contact blighted the Kiwi's charge, which assured the victory for Dempsey and teammates Patrick Long and Marco Seefried, who crossed the finish line 17.2 seconds clear of the No. 98 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

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"A great feeling," said Dempsey, whose previous best was a second-place at Le Mans in June. "Our first victory in the WEC – we've worked hard for this over the entire season.

"I drove a long first stint in pouring rain and then had to wait for hours. When I climbed back into the car shortly before the flag, my main priority was not to make any mistakes. But everything came together today.

"Patrick gave me advice over the radio, Marco drove a fantastic stint and the team's strategy was perfect. I'm very grateful for all the support I've received from Porsche and the team this season. It enables me to keep developing as a driver. This is a great day – and from now on Fuji is one of my favorite race tracks."

Added Long: "After finishing second at Le Mans, I thought I couldn't top the emotion. But this victory has surpassed everything. None of us made any mistakes, and Marco put in an incredibly strong drive at the midway mark of the race. That made this great success possible."

Seefried said the outcome came as a pleasant surprise.

"During my stint I wasn't really aware that we were doing so well," he related. "When you're out there doing your thing, you don't really know where you're actually lying in the race. I had no idea that we were so strong at this point. I wasn't even at 120 percent, instead I tried to be fast and consistent. But we had a very good car today. To drive the 911 RSR on this tricky circuit was huge fun."