Barbosa began his racing career in karts, becoming the Portuguese kart racing champion in both 1988 and 1989. He transitioned to formula racing, winning the Portuguese Formula Ford championship in 1994 and the Italian Formula Alfa Boxer championship in 1995. He continued his success in Italy, claiming the Italian Formula Europa Boxer title in 1995 and finishing as runner-up in the Italian Formula 3 championship in 1996.
In 1997, Barbosa moved to the United States and competed in the Formula Atlantic series, finishing seventh overall. He began racing with Mosler in 1999, securing a victory at Lime Rock Park in the United States Road Racing Championship and at Homestead in the FIA GT Championship. In 2001, Barbosa achieved a third-place finish in the GT class at the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen while driving for Mosler in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
Barbosa continued with Mosler in 2002, earning a win and three second-place finishes in the Grand-Am series, placing fourth in the GT class drivers' championship. In 2003, he achieved three wins and seven podium finishes in the GTS class, ultimately finishing as runner-up in the championship. He also secured a class victory at the 1000 km Spa that same year.
In 2007, Barbosa drove a Pescarolo 01 LMP1 class car, resulting in a third-place overall finish at the 1000 km of Silverstone. He was also fourth at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, both in the Grand-Am series with Brumos Riley-Porsche. Barbosa continued with Brumos Racing in 2008, achieving fourth place in five races and finishing fifth in the Daytona Prototype class drivers' championship.
Barbosa joined Action Express Racing in 2010, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona alongside Ryan Dalziel and Mike Rockenfeller. He continued with Action Express in 2011, winning at Virginia and finishing third in the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2012, driving a Chevrolet Corvette DP, Barbosa secured wins in Detroit and at the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, finishing ninth in the drivers' championship.
In 2014, Barbosa, alongside Christian Fittipaldi and Sébastien Bourdais, won the 24 Hours of Daytona. He also won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2015 with Fittipaldi and Bourdais.
Barbosa was fourth overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007, driving a Pescarolo 01. He also achieved a fourth-place finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2012, winning the ALMS P2-class, although finishing behind a World Endurance Championship LMP2 car.
Barbosa competed in the FIA GT Championship, racing at Hungaroring in 2006 in a Saleen S7. He also participated in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, achieving a sixth-place overall finish and a first-place in the LMP2 class at Petit Le Mans in 2011.
Barbosa currently competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Sean Creech Motorsport in the LMP2 class, as of 2021.
Gallery · 3 related images
