(Reuters) - Formula One chairman and chief executive Chase Carey will be the official starter of the 85th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race this weekend, organisers said on Friday. Ford executive chairman Bill Ford was Le Mans starter in 2015 while NASCAR's Jim France was handed the role in 2013. The late Steve McQueen waved the flag in 1971, the year he starred in the movie "Le Mans". Carey has been in full charge of Formula One since January when U.S.-based Liberty Media completed its takeover and replaced previous supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Last year's Le Mans 24 Hours coincided with the European Grand Prix in Baku, now renamed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and scheduled for June 25.

Source: The Star June 16, 2017 10:52 UTC