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COMPASS
MAGAZINE, August 1999. VOL. 6 ISSUE
8
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Taichung's
Expert on Hot Cars and Fast Computers
By Douglas
Habecker |
Taichung is a long, long way from Belgrade, as Boris Djordjevic
discovered when he first arrived on the island about four years
ago. Little could he know that he would end up not only running
his own Internet business solutions consultancy but also becoming
one of the island's first foreign racing car drivers.
Since those early days, the city's resident Serb has firmly ensconced
himself in the community and is known for his computer-related networking
abilities, ice hockey skills and relaxed, friendly manner.
He sees no reason to depart a city and country he has come to love
for what it has to offer.
"This is one of the best places in the world. There are so
many opportunities. I've had big job opportunities from Taipei but
I didn't go because I really hate that place. I like Taichung a
lot," the 32-year-old says emphatically.
Boris came to Taiwan at the invitation of an acquaintance involved
in business on the island. At that time, the economy in his native
country was suffering and he decided to see what the island could
offer. It wasn't totally easy at first. He notes: "The first
six months were a nightmare. I didn't know where I was. They told
me this was a tropical island."
However, things eventually settled down. Having majored in telecommunications
in university and worked with computer networks in Belgrade, he
went to work for several computer-related companies, including Power
Net, before working with David Westgate's local Internet service
provider, IN. About two years ago, after Westgate decided to return
to America, Boris started his own Frontier Networks, which basically
provides Internet-based business solutions to foreign companies
working in Asia. Since then, business has been very good.
This allowed him to pursue his most recent, and most unique, passion.
Boris had a long interest in cars and racing and dabbled in the
sport back home. However, he says it wasn't until NATO began bombing
his country that he decided to plunge in with both feet.
"I was freaking out about the situation back home. I had to
do something different just to get it out of my mind," he remembers,
adding that he managed to stay in touch with his family--who survived
unscathed -- by telephone. "I used to be pretty active with
car racing back home. I always loved it but couldn't really afford
it."
Working with his friend Sam Kuo -- a car shop owner and local racer
-- Boris found himself a relatively-rare Citroen AX GT and purchased
the worn vehicle for a mere NT$10,000.
Over the next couple months, he worked with Kuo to completely modify
the vehicle, spending about NT$400,000 to tear out all the seats
and interior trim, overhaul and soup up the 1.4-liter engine, and
install a British racing clutch, Italian rollbar, German bucket
racing seats with three-point safety harnesses, a racing computer
and more-powerful front and rear disk brakes.
He also emblazoned the car with his number and sponsor logos, from
his own company.
On June 26 and 27, he entered his first race, joining a 65-car field
in a four-stage rally in the mountain town of Alishan. When the
dust settled, Boris found himself as the winner of the 1.4-liter
division and as fourth-place finisher in the 36-car Group "N"
division. Despite the fact that the winnings weren't spectacular--a
Chinese pottery vase presented by the Alishan mayor and lots of
free products from sponsor Mobile -- his outstanding debut has him
hooked.
"I was really excited. I don't know exactly why I did well,
except that I had a good, reliable car and I drove safely and carefully,
pushing it to about 70 percent, which seemed to work" he says,
noting that he anticipates almost-monthly races at different locations
around the island.
When he's not working or racing, Boris indulges his passion for
ice hockey and plays with a local league every week and, occasionally,
at overseas tournaments. Traveling outside Taiwan can sometimes
be a "real pain," given some sensitivity to his nationality.
However, it doesn't trouble him too much and he hopes to soon return
and visit Serbia for the first time since arriving in Taiwan (his
plans to visit in April were canceled for obvious reasons), keeping
an upbeat perspective on his current life. "This is the best
time of my life," he declares. "I love it!"
BORIS' TOP FIVE FAVORITE VEHICLES:
1. Ford Escort Cosworth
2. Ford Fiesta XR2
3. Lamborghini Diablo
4. BMW 850
5. Isuzu Rodeo
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