THERE is a familiar name turning heads and making waves in the local motorsports scene.
Jacq “The Lady” Buncio, 16-year-old motosports prodigy and youngest sister of the late racing legend Maico, is dominating the superbikes’ scene with her victories and innate talent for racing.
Buncio was crowned champion of the recent 2017 Pirelli Philippine Superbike Championships at the Batangas Racing Circuit, where she bested 14 other participants with a winning clocking of 1:47.35 to further fortify her status as motorsports’ newest darling, who wants to extend her dominance in the 2017 season against all odds.
What made the feat more impressive was the fact that she was the grid’s youngest participant, and its lone female rider at that.
Jacq is unfazed as she recently became the newest ambassador of TOTAL Hi-Perf, the leading line of motorcycle and scooter engine oils by Total.
“Racing is not a cheap sport, and everyone is aware of that. Having a huge dream won’t be in reach without sponsors. I’m lucky that Total has trusted me to be their sponsored rider. Even though I know the expectations are huge, but I ‘ll do my best to make my new family proud. For me, each race is important. Each victory brings me closer to my dream. One day, I will bring the Philippines and the name Buncio to moto GP,” said Buncio.
Buncio, who was slated to compete in the Middleweight division but moved up to the Heavyweight Category B, did it using her YAMAHA R-6 600cc 2006 model against the 1,000cc to 1,300cc race bikes of her seasoned male rivals.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the win,” said Jacq. “They (my competitors) were older and more experienced, but I think my advantage over them is that matapang ako (I’m brave and determined ). That’s how I am.”
At the awards ceremony held after the race, Jacq was recognized as the “Fastest Lady on Two Wheels,” an honor that her late brother, would have been very proud of.
“My brother said never stop riding. I offer my every race to you. I will make you very proud of me,” said Jacq, who also won the All-Ladies’ Category of the 2017 National Super Motorcycle Race of Champions at Robinsons Novaliches.
Despite her youth, the superbikes prodigy has already carved a niche for herself with a slew of titles. At the Golden Wheel Awards Nights alone at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura, BGC last March 18, Buncio was named the Highest Ranked Novice Rider; Overall Champion, Lightweight A 300-400cc using the only YAMAHA R3 in its Class; 2nd Overall Champion in the 115 Novice Class and Overall and 130 Automatic Scooter Class winner.
After a relatively fast qualifying time of 1:48.233 in the Pirelli event, Buncio improved further with her 1:47.354 during race 1, almost the same time as Gab Valenciano’s 1:47.302 using a 2016 1000cc R-1. It was Jacq’s first race on a 600cc sports bike after being crowned overall champion of the 2016 Pirelli Superbike Championship’s Lightweight A Category using her dependable Yamaha 320cc R-3. Her impressive showing last season spilled over last weekend to the 2017 season of the racing tournament in a bigger category at that.