WEC: Dempsey steps down from driving

Actor/racer Patrick Dempsey has decided to step back from his driving career. The 50-year-old co-owner of the Dempsey Proton Porsche FIA World Endurance Championship entry spent last season as a full-time competitor in the global sports car series. That won't be the case this year but, Dempsey said, "I hope my schedule permits me to enjoy some race weekends at least as a team owner."

“My motorsports journey has been a rewarding one and allowed me to meet so many interesting people,” Dempsey wrote on his website. “While the focus so often is the performance of the car, in reality it is all the various personalities, from team mates to competitors to officials to fans that I remember the most.

“I have loved being part of part of different teams and sharing the experience with so many great friends. I want to thank everyone who made this possible and helped me along the way. I also wanted to especially thank the fans for their support and friendship.

“None of this would happen without you buying the tickets and attending the races, so I am grateful for that investment in my passion. It makes me especially happy to see how many people have become race fans during my racing career.

“At this point in my life, after an amazing season thanks to my friends at Porsche and TAG Heuer, I need to take a step back and focus on both my family and my acting career.

“Dempsey-Proton Racing will continue on racing a Porsche 911 RSR in the World Endurance Championship season. I hope my schedule permits me to enjoy some race weekends at least as a team owner.

“I need to especially thank Porsche for their unbelievable support for me and my family as I made the tough decision to take a step back. I will never forget it. Life has taught me that it is impossible to predict the future. I am excited to see what kind of journey I can make and enjoy.”

Dempsey will talk more about stepping back from driving in his exclusive column for RACER magazine in our forthcoming spring issue.