Maico Makes History!

Date posted on May 15, 2021
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Maico Buncio is the youngest person and first rookie to capture the Philippine National Superbike Championship!

The 2007 Superbike season would be remembered as one of the most dramatic title chases in the history of the Shell Advance Superbike Series organized by BRC and sanctioned by NAMSSA. Rookie Maico Buncio and ten-time national champion and veteran road racer Jolet Jao fought back and forth for the victories. The season culminated at the final round in September 22-23 when the two riders won two races each but Jao broke a chain for the second time this season and had a DNF result, leaving Buncio to sprint to the finish line and victory.

Maico Buncio added another star to his list of accomplishments by winning the National Expert Superbike Championship from Jolet Jao. With his feat, Buncio is only the third rider in Philippine history to win the title after Jolet Jao and Toti Alberto who also won the crown in 1998. It was Maico’s second championship title also for 2007 as he earlier clinched the SP125 Underbone title.

An emotional Yoyong Buncio was the first to congratulate his son with a big hug and smile. It was an end for a very challenging season for the father and son as they attempted to balance racing at the top of the national level and expand Maico’s international race career in Asia. Maico said, “Maraming-maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga sumuporta sa karerang ito lalong-lalo na sa parents ko, kay Daddy at Mommy and my family. Sa wakas nag-champion din tayo, nakuha sa tiyaga! This is my first time na mag-champion sa Superbike Expert at masayang-masaya ako! So nung race medyo maintain ko na lang kasi baka sumemplang pa tayo medyo basa yung track natin kanina. Tapos yun pang fifth tayo sa Race 1. Sabi ko gagawin ko na lang best ko para manalo. Salamat kay God, di Niya ako pinabayaan at ginabayan Niya yung karera ko. Salamat sa mga sponsors ko – YRS, Norkis Yamaha, sa mekaniko namin kay kuya Rowell na nandiyan lagi, sa InsideRACING na laging sumusuporta sa mga ganitong event, maraming salamat po sa walang sawang suportang ibinigay ninyo, sa Stoplight TV, Shell Advance, Imarflex Battery, Dunlop Tire, Fastlane, Iridium Spark Plug at kina Tito Jolet at Tito Glenn Aguilar na naging inspirasyon ko sa karerang ito.”

Jolet Jao finished second overall for the first time in eleven years. He said, “Talagang ganun, kasama sa karera, medyo fourth lap naputol yung kadena ko. Problema natin dati, naulit uli! Hindi natin akalain, bago naman yung kadena. Talagang ganun. Talagang para sa kanya yun!”

Meanwhile, Rod Chua closed his season with a strong performance. Three times he finished in third position and one fourth position to end the year on a high. “Maganda weekend natin ngayon, masaya! Sponsors ko Zumo contractors, BikePlus, Apexx Performance, Bikers Unlimited, OZ Racing, HJC Helmet, Caloocan Sales Center  – lahat yan sumusuporta sa atin, salamat, pati na sa InsideRACING at Stoplight TV na mga pioneers dito sa road racing,” said Chua.

Glenn Aguilar formally clinched the Novice Superbike title with four Novice wins (three-time second overall during the weekend). Aguilar shared, “Syempre napakasaya ko kasi it’s my first title in road racing. I really enjoyed it. Siguro wala pa namang gumagawa nun na it’s the first year to have a big bike and it’s my first time to ride here tapos Novice champion ka pa, kaya masaya ako! Gusto kong pasalamatan ang Bridgestone tire, Shift Gear, SIDI boots, Rentals Sprocket, Oakley, Otto Trend, HJC Helmet at InsideRACING. Next year, I will prepare more sa Expert class!”

This was published in the 2007 InsideRACING Volume 5 Number 11 issue

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