Patrick Dempsey and Johnny Herbert to Drive Mazda 787B at Le Mans

Some two weeks ago, we were reporting on the Le Mans winning Mazda 787B, which has been restored to demonstrate on the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France on June 11, before the 2011 race begins. The company announced today that behind the wheel of this car will be none other than actor and road racer Patrick Dempsey.

Patrick will squeeze in the trip to France between racing his own Dempsey Racing Mazda RX-8 at Watkins Glen the week before and at Road America two weeks later. He scored a personal-best race-finish earlier this year with third-place at the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona.

Also behind the wheel during the Le Mans weekend will be Johnny Herbert.  Herbert, one of the three young racers who drove the Mazda 787B to victory, and was competing in Formula 1 at the time, will be reunited with the car for the first time since that June day.

"I've been a member of the MAZDASPEED family since 2007. I race a three-rotor RX-8 in Grand-Am GT competition, and Mazda allowed me to drive the amazing RX-792P at Mazda Raceway last year.  I love the heritage of the sport, and to be given the chance to drive THE car that scored the highest-visibility win in Mazda's storied racing history is indeed an honor," said Dempsey.

"This is a very special occasion for Mazda.  This will bring together our most iconic prototype with our most recognizable racer.  Over the past several years we have come to know Patrick as someone who is deeply committed the sport, and very knowledgeable about the heritage involved.  We wouldn't allow just any racer to drive our masterpiece.  Patrick earned this honor," added John Doonan, Director, Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations.