Dušan Borković

When talking about a Serbian racing driver Dusan Borkovic, one thing is for sure – he is a definitely a big man. With 207 cm (6 ft 9.4 inches), Borkovic is probably the tallest race car driver in the world.

But, Borkovic is not a big racer only by his height, he's big also by his results. He has two European Championship titles in his pocket so far. In 2012, Borkovic was the European Hillclimb Champion. Three years later, he won the 2015 European Touring Car Cup.

Prior to his international career, Borkovic built his way to the top as the best Serbian racing driver, collecting more than 250 trophies in various racing disciplines (karting, circuit racing, rally and hillclimb) and winning 12 national championship titles.

Jovan and Dusan Borkovic

Jovan Borković infected his son Dusan with racing

Dusan Borkovic (Dušan Borković) was born on September 16, 1984, in Pančevo, near Serbian capital Belgrade (Beograd). His father Jovan was also a racing driver, winning titles in motorcycle and truck races, so young Dusan was infected by racing since his birth.

He started racing at the age of 10, driving karts and scoring the podium in his second race. However, the start of his career wasn't pleasant because he crashed in the third race, suffering the fractures of both arms. After a few-month recovery, he returned to karting and won his first national championship title in 1995.

Natural born champion

Six consecutive titles in karting

After three consecutive titles, he received a 'Golden Helmet' award in 1997, becoming the youngest ever winner of this award. Three more titles followed and he gets one more 'Golden Helmet' in 2000. He also competed in Hungary, becoming the Hungarian vice-championship in 1997.

After six titles in karting racing, the next step was a switch to car racing in 2001. Borkovic was driving Zastava Yugo, the popular and affordable car for beginners. The first victory came in 2002, at the famous street track in Belgrade. At the end of the season, he was a class runner-up in the championship.

Borkovic in a rally car

In 2007, Borković received a 'Diamond Helmet'

In 2003, Borkovic moved to a bigger car, in the most popular Serbian competition called national Class-Hybrid. In debut season, he finished third, next year he climbed to the second place and finally, in 2005, he won the title. In the following years, he was a dominating driver in a class, so after three consecutive titles from 2005 to 2007, he received one more 'Golden Helmet' award.

Three 'Golden Helmets' were converted to the 'Diamond Helmet', which is the most prestigious award in national motorsport. Dušan Borković is one of the only three Serbian drivers who won such a prize.

Borkovic entered his first hillclimb race in 2007

The season 2007 was also a milestone year in Borkovic's career as he competed for the first time in the hillclimb races. In 2008, he was active in three racing disciplines, adding rally to his calendar. Driving the Citroen C2 R2 he scored his only rally podium at 2009 Sajamski Rally.

In 2010, he switched to Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, both in hillclimb races and rallying. He won his first Serbian Hillclimb Championship title.

2012 EHCC title celebration with fans

Conquering European hills with Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX

In 2011, it was a time for the international competition, so Borkovic competed for the first time in the FIA European Hill Climb Championship. He participated in nine of twelve events with Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, setting the Group N records on four tracks and finishing third in the championship standings.

In 2012, he managed to win the European Hillclimb title, winning eight of ten races he participated.

Third place in debut ETCC season

After reaching a peak in the hillclimb racing, Borkovic returned to circuit racing in 2013, entering the FIA European Touring Car Cup (ETCC) with NIS Petrol -sponsored Seat Leon. He competed in the strongest class (S2000) and finished third in the points, behind Petr Fulin and Mato Homola.

In nine races, Borkovic won one time, at Salzburgring, driving the Campos Racing-operated Seat Leon TFSI. In the last two races of the season, he switched to the Chevrolet Cruze S2000.

Celebration of WTCC podium in Japan

2014 - first Serbian driver in the WTCC

In 2014, Borkovic became the first Serbian driver to enter the highest class of touring car racing, the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). He was driving the #98 Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 for NIS Petrol Racing Team by Campos.

The highlight of the season was Dusan's only WTCC podium in October's race at Japanese Suzuka Circuit, where he took second place in the second race, behind Honda's Gabriele Tarquini. In the rest of the season, his best result was sixth place in the season-opening race at Marrakech. He missed the last round at Macau, recovering from an injury sustained in Chinese round, and he finished 14th in the overall standings of the 2014 WTCC season.

Who's the bigger racer - Borkovic or Loeb

2015 - Borković left WTCC and won ETCC title

For 2015 season, Borkovic had a plan to continue his WTCC campaign with Italian Proteam Racing's Honda Civic TC1. After two disappointing rounds in Argentina and Morocco, facing lots of problems with a car set-up, including the inability of Proteam's crew to fit a proper seat for 207 cm tall driver, Borkovic left the championship.

He made a decision to return to the FIA European Touring Car Cup, joining the Hungarian B3 Racing team, which prepared the newest Seat Leon Cup Racer for him. The 2015 ETCC competition was divided into four classes and Borkovic became the championship in the Single-Make Trophy, winning the title with a three-point advantage over his old rival Petr Fulin. In twelve races, Borkovic won five times.

Since 2016, Borkovic competes in the TCR International Series

Duke enters TCR International Series in 2016

In 2016, Borkovic returned to the world-class racing, this time in the TCR International Series. Backed by Air Serbia and the City of Pančevo, Borkovic remains with B3 Racing team to drive all-new Seat Leon TCR. After many years, he changed his number from #98 to #62.

Borkovic took pole positions at Spa and Oschersleben,  but didn't manage to win a race. He scored six podiums, finishing seventh in the final standings.

Dusan Borkovic

Maiden TCR victory in Bahrain

For the 2017 TCR International Series season, Borkovic joined Georgian team GE-Force to drive an Alfa Romeo Giulietta along with Davit Kajaia as a teammate. Kajai was the winner of the season-opening race at Rustavi, Borkovic scored his maiden TCR win in the next round at Bahrain International Circuit. The second win came at Salzburgring in June and he finished eighth in the final points.

In 2018, Borković joined Target Competition to compete with Hyundai i30 N TCR in the TCR Europe Series. He won three races during the season to finish third in the points. In 2019, he stayed with Target in the TCR Europe but his season ended after four round because he was suspended from championship after post-race incident at Red Bull Ring.

Borkovic's companion in his career, both as a wife and a manager, is Andrijana Borkovic.

Photos: dusanborkovic.com, automagazin.rs, tcr-series.com,