Taichung’s Expert on Hot Cars and Fast Computers

From our archives, Compass Magazine, August 1999.

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