Dempsey expected to curtail racing activities in 2016

Actor/racer Patrick Dempsey is expected to reduce his racing activities with Porsche next year. The sports car driver achieved his dream of competing in a full season of FIA World Endurance Championship competition as part of the works-assisted Dempsey-Proton GTE-Am program in 2015, along with races in other championships, and could be back for more WEC events in 2016. 

Details of the brand's motorsports plans were revelealed Saturday during Porsche's Night of Champions gathering, although the finer aspects of Dempsey's program were omitted. Via Twitter, Porsche went as far to confirm Dempsey will continue to "follow @FIAWEC races in 2016 as partner of his team."

RACER has learned that Dempsey, who turns 50 in January, will have a third Proton-run Porsche at his disposal for any FIA WEC races he chooses to enter, but there are no fixed events on his calendar. One source described the situation as fluid, and said he could be in the WEC Porsche for "one race, it could be all nine, or it could be zero."

With Dempsey's home life continuing to strengthen, it's believed the planned reduction in racing activities has been made to allow more time with his family.