Patrick Dempsey's journey back to motorsports began with his role as Piero Taruffi in Michael Mann's Ferrari film. After stepping away from racing in 2015 to focus on family, Dempsey's passion for the sport was reignited during the movie's production.

His return to competitive racing in 2024 partnered with Patrick Long in the Porsche Endurance Challenge is now documented in "Destined to drive: Patrick Dempsey's return to racing," airing on FOX Sports 1.

Dempsey's racing roots trace back to his father, a team owner and racing enthusiast. His own racing journey began when his wife gifted him a Skip Barber Driving School certificate, leading to competitions in various series and ultimately achieving his dream of racing at Le Mans.

The decision to return came with his family's encouragement and support from TAG Heuer and Porsche. Testing sessions for the Ferrari film rekindled his competitive spirit, with Dempsey noting, "I felt like I had just emerged from a deep coma and was back into a whole other mindset."

In partnership with Patrick Long, Dempsey chose the GT4 series for his comeback. He particularly values the camaraderie in motorsports, describing it as the place where he feels most at home, unlike his experience in Hollywood.

Looking ahead to 2025, Dempsey plans to participate in Porsche Cup races internationally and continue working with Porsche on their 50th anniversary Turbo program. At 59, he approaches racing differently now, focusing on sprint races and endurance events while balancing his passion with other life commitments.

Dempsey acknowledges racing's addictive nature: "Racing is an addiction. It's a drug. It's a high. There's nothing better. I haven't done anything better than this. It's the greatest."

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