His character McDreamy may have been killed off on Grey's Anatomy but actor Patrick Dempsey will be the star attraction at the Leadfoot motorsport festival in New Zealand early next year.
The Leadfoot Festival is hosted by veteran New Zealand motorsport figure Rod Millen on his farm at Hahei andfeatures a range of classic cars and motorcycles.
The Hollywood star is likely to race one of the latest and fastest Porsche models during the hillclimb event from February 6-7.
When he wasn't playing surgeon Dr Derek Shephard in 225 episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey was running his own racing team in the USA for a decade.
He also featured in in this year's prestigious Le Mans24 Hour race in France, coming second in his class driving a Porsche.
"Patrick and I go back a long time, racing at the likes of the Baja 100 in the States over a dozen or more years.
Patrick Dempsey with the new Porsche 911 RSR
"Competing in desert races we built up a friendship and have kept in touch, and he has shown an interest in what we have been doing at Leadfoot over the last few years."
Dempsey had shown an interest in racing at Leadfoot but his Grey's Anatomy filming commitments had prevented him coming in the past.
But the show's creator, Shondra Rhimes, killed off McDreamy in a car accident after 11 years - much to the outrage of fans.
"Patrick is at a point in his life and in his career where you have achieved a lot and can do some of the fun things you really want to do," said Millen.
"This year, he said 'I can make it next year'."
It was not yet decided what Dempsey would drive at the festival but Porsche has supported the Dempsey Racing Team, and so it was likely to be one of their cars.
Millen said he was determined to retain the relaxed atmosphere of Leadfoot, even though the event was growing in popularity. Last year around 12,000 people attended the festival, but the venue could comfortably cater for many more.
Patrick Dempsey was a central character on Grey's Anatomy until his character was killed off this year.
Dempsey would fit in easily at the festival. "He is the most regular guy around," said Millen.
"He is easy to talk to, outgoing and mad about being around cars - he will fit in very well with our environment."
