MUMBAI: The list of legendary actors-turned-racers is as short as it is iconic: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Garner. Discovery Turbo follows Patrick Dempsey’s attempt to join this elite group when he tackles the world’s oldest – and most grueling – automotive endurance race, France’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The premiere television seriesPATRICK DEMPSEY: RACING LE MANS follows Dempsey as he and his team, co-owned with Italian soccer superstar Alessandro Del Piero, prepare for the vehicular equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest. From sponsor recruitment, to time trials, to juggling his family and Hollywood career, the four-part miniseries offers unlimited access to Dempsey and his Porsche 911 GT3 RSR team as they prepare to risk everything on Europe’s most historic track. PATRICK DEMPSEY: RACING LE MANS premieres on Discovery Turbo on Thursday, November 07 at 9 pm.
“Racing is my true passion, and taking on Le Mans will be the biggest challenge of my life so far. Le Mans pushes both driver and machine to the absolute brink, testing focus, skill and endurance unlike any other event in the world,” said Dempsey. “Just getting to Le Mans is almost as challenging as the race itself. This project reflects a 360-degree-view of the entire race process – including all the ups and downs along the way.”
Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, “Discovery Turbo will give viewers an exclusive window into one of the most renowned sporting events–Racing at Le Mans. Le Mans,a 24-hour grueling endurance race,is a pinnacle of motorsports and the ultimate melding of man and machine. The thrilling action will keep Discovery Turbo viewers on the edge of their seats as they watch their favourite actor-turned-racer Patrick Dempseypushing his skills to the limits.”
Patrick will take his turn at the wheel, alongside Porsche racing partners Patrick Long and Joe Foster at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 22 and 23. Since its inception in 1923, the race has tested the strength and stamina of both drivers and their vehicles. When the flag drops, racers compete against each other for a full day, as they must manage their vehicle’s maintenance and resources as they work through their own hunger and exhaustion.
FULL EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS BELOW
PATRICK DEMPSEY: RACING LE MANS
Episode 1
Premieres Thursday, November 07 at 9 pm
Hollywood leading man Patrick Dempsey has set himself an enormous goal – to compete at the most prestigious race in motorsports – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Following in the footsteps of legendary idols Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Garner, Dempsey’s passion and commitment to racing has earned him respect within the racing community. But the road to Le Mans isn’t without sacrifice, as Patrick must strike a balance between his day job on set and his desire to secure time in the driver’s seat. Alongside demanding sponsorship commitments and a challenged car manufacturer, Patrick and partner Joe Foster navigate the minefield that lies before them as they struggle to keep their team on the road to Le Mans.
Episode 2
Premieres Thursday, November 14 at 9 pm
Not only is actor Patrick Dempsey a race car driver, he’s a race team owner – and with that title comes the stress of raising money to keep his car on the track. Like Paul Newman and James Garner before him, Patrick is balancing his time behind the wheel with the demands of finding financing. With delinquent sponsors consistently coming up short, Patrick and partner Joe Foster are scrambling to keep their team solvent.
Episode 3
Premieres Thursday, November 21 at 9 pm
An 11th hour deal allows Patrick Dempsey to keep his race team alive, but organizational restructuring brings in a wave of new players. Constant tweaking of the driver line-up causes some unrest among the team, and after a much-anticipated invitation to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it becomes imperative to field the most competitive team possible. Strong showings at Sebring and Laguna Seca, coupled with the addition of veteran racer Patrick Long to the Le Mans driver line-up, give the team the jolt of energy it’s been seeking for months.
Episode 4
Premieres Thursday, November 28 at 9 pm
For leading man Patrick Dempsey, this is the moment of truth. After nursing his team through two tumultuous seasons with partner Joe Foster, they arrive in France to tackle the near-impossible goal they set for themselves a year ago – to compete in motorsport’s most grueling event – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With veteran driver Patrick Long as their teammate, a podium finish in their class is within reach. But like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen before him, Patrick Dempsey must navigate the media circus that surrounds Le Mans, and stay focused on the task at hand. When the checkered flag drops, he has 24 hours to realize his dream.
