A lot of tough-guy Hollywood actors would like to think of themselves as the new Steve McQueen. Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey is the real thing, however. The handsome star has a collection of cool sports cars and an impressive list of motor racing credits to add to his cinematic ones.

Now he’s just been chosen to drive Aston Martin’s awesome Vantage GT4 racecar in its long-awaited North American debut in the 2012 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC). Dempsey will race in one of two cars under the Toronto-based Multimatic Motorsports banner, beginning with the opening round at the Daytona International Speedway on January 27, partnered by Aston Martin Chief Engineer Chris Porritt. Last weekend he participated in a test session at the track.


From there the CTSCC will travel to some of North America’s most iconic circuits over ten races. The Vantage GT4, closely based on Aston Martin’s V8 Vantage road car fitted with a bespoke 4.7 liter V8 engine producing 420 hp, has captured numerous 24 hour class victories in Europe and abroad over the past five seasons but has never competed in North America before.

Dempsey has raced in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the past as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, among others. His car collection includes the likes of Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus and Mercedes-Benz. Following the CTSCC Dempsey will have to take a break from racing to prepare for his upcoming movie Art of Racing in the Rain — in which he plays a race car driver. Go to AstonMartin.com to see more.

See our picks for Best Luxury Cars