Carlos Antunes Tavares is making sacrifices to race in the BOSS GP

Lots of experience
Carlos Antunes Tavares has been active in the car racing industry for thirty years now and has been racing since 1980. “I started in the touring cars back then. I have been racing since 1983 without interruptions and have participated in several different championships. I was a rally driver from 1985 until 1993 before I switched to the French Touring Cars and I also competed in the Nissan World Series for five seasons. I then raced in the Formula 3 from 1996 until 2003 before I eventually ended up in the Big Open Single Seaters.”

Man of the world
The 51-year-old Antunes Tavares was born in Portugal, but he’s not the type of person to settle down somewhere. “I’ve been living in Japan for the past five years because of my work for Nissan. However, I opted to move to America when the financial crisis hit Tokyo. I live in Tennessee nowadays. Before the crisis, 16,5 million cars per year were sold in America, but this number has decreased to 10,5 million in 2009. Of course, that’s a huge blow for the car industry. The American market is slowly getting back on its feet though and 12 million cars will be sold again in 2010. We’re not there yet, but it’s crucial that the industry is on its way back again.”

Nissan America
When asked about his work at Nissan, the Portuguese gives a short summary of his job. “I use all my energy to ensure that our business in America continues to grow. That’s what my job is all about.” Additionally, Antunes Tavares also advises the board of directors worldwide. “However, my main business is America,” he repeats.



Nice outlet
Antunes Tavares competes in the Big Open Single Seaters in a Nissan Worldseries car and thoroughly enjoys doing so. “Racing is a very nice outlet to get away from the stress that comes with my job. It’s simply fantastic to experience the power of that machine. And it’s a great reward when you manage to finish on the podium. I’m very happy that I made in onto the stage at the Nürburgring. At least I didn’t make a long journey for nothing,” smiled the driver from the Masters Class.