In Broadcast - October 2015 - 22

22

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 5 - Issue 10 | October 2015

InReply

Patrick Dempsey
On The Racetrack
Actor and Porsche enthusiast, Patrick Dempsey talks about his life
in the fast lane...
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season
recently resumed at the famous SpaFrancorchamps circuit during the
Belgian Grand Prix for the first of a
series of double headers.
To help mark its return, Porsche
Mobil 1 Supercup was delighted to
welcome back Patrick Dempsey as its
VIP driver, a year after his Supercup
debut in Hockenheim last summer.
One year on and one year stronger, we
took the opportunity to sit down with
Patrick and hear his thoughts on racing
in general, driving at Le Mans and the
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in particular,
and his excitement at competing
alongside WRC legend Sebastien Loeb,
who also joined the Porsche Mobil 1
Supercup grid in Belgium.
InBroadcast: You are passionate
about racing and Porsches. How
much does racing mean to you?
Patrick Dempsey: I would like to
be racing all the time. I love it. My
dream as a kid was to be an Olympic
skier. I ended up riding the unicycle to
improve my balance and then that got
me in a vaudeville troop, which got me
performing, which led to acting. So I

really love acting, but my first love has
always been racing.
InB: You are well known for
participating at Le Mans with
Porsche. What's the difference
between Le Mans and sprint races
like the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup?
PD: It is still a new field for me as I
took part only at a few sprint races.
Driving endurance races is all about
getting the best out of the car without
overstressing it, making sure your
teammate is still able to finish the
race. But in the Supercup you need to
exploit the capabilities right from the
beginning.
InB: What do you think about
when you sit in your Porsche and
wait for the starting lights?
PD: There's a great tension before
the race, but I learned to concentrate
on the greater context thanks to the
help of qualified people. It's about
visualising exactly what you have to
do, what you've learned and what you
planned with your team. The moments
right before the start are nerveracking but still enjoyable.

InB: And during a race?
PD: The emotions and tension are
similar during the race, but you calm
down. It's about self-discipline and
concentration; it's about focusing on
the task ahead and not caring about
the surrounding elements. Actually, it's
easier in the car compared to the other
assignments like the arrival, public
relations and press work. I'm able to
relax in the car.
InB: Do you feel pressure to
succeed as a racing driver like
your predecessors Steve McQueen
and Paul Newman, who were both
Porsche enthusiasts?
PD: I know there are a few of us who
did both: acting and racing. I think it is
a good combination.
InB: What does it feel like when
you are driving?
PD: It's exciting. You're dealing with
what's happening in the moment.
It's an incredible metaphor for how
you should live life. You can't deal
with the past; you can't deal with the
future. You can only deal with what's
happening right now.

InB: Exciting is a good keyword.
How do you feel when you're
surrounded by screaming fans?
PD: I really appreciate the support
of my fans. We've got a strict program
at the racetrack and we totally
concentrate on driving and the event.
I'm able to focus on my tasks, but it
would be great to have some more
time to thank everyone for the great
reception. If I would have some more
time, I could use it to sign autographs
and have pictures taken with fans,
because without them I wouldn't be in
this position.
InB: What appeals to you about
racing?
PD: It is really challenging. You
absolutely leave your own comfort
zone. Furthermore, I relish that you
recognise progress with every single
race, which could lead to a great leap
forward and bring you closer towards
the goal of winning. Plus, it includes a
high level of technique, but I reckon
the personal and emotional challenges
for the driver are enormous - this can
be addicting.
InB: How important is racing in
your life?
PD: My kids are the love of my life,
but racing is right up there. I find it
challenging and satisfying; it is like
a dream come true to be able to race
with the best of them. You can be a
great driver, but you need to have a
great team. Everything has to work
perfectly; everyone has to work
together as a whole package, so it is a
lot like a chess game really.
http://www.inbroadcast.com https://youtu.be/BpCHiFr2Eu4
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