Buncio rips mark, shares honors with Mendoza

ROSARIO, Batangas – Defending champion Maico Buncio of Elf-YRS Racing uncorked a record-breaking performance even as he split honors with Benjo Mendoza recently in the second leg of the 2008 Shell Advance Superbikes Championships at the Batangas Racing Circuit here.

The 19-year-old Buncio shattered the 1:42 barrier as he posted a track fastest laptime record of 1:41.959 aboard his 600-cc Yamaha bike in the Expert division and cruised to victory in this event sponsored by Shell Advance, Denso, San Mig Coffee, Inside Racing and PagCor Sports.

He clocked 17 minutes and 7.242 seconds in the 10-lap Race 3 as he checked in more than half a minute ahead over runner-up Speedeffex rider Mendoza and Shell-Suzuki’s Jolet Jao.

The win was a big tune-up for Buncio who left yesterday to compete in the American Motocross Association (AMA) Superbikes Series set April 27 at the Autoclub Speedway in California.

“It was another inspiring run. For years, nobody was able to break the 1:42 barrier and I myself was surprised to learn I broke the record,” said Buncio. 

“That was a big morale booster for my coming stint in the US. It’s a very tough competition because the world’s best riders are going to be there. Hopefully, I’ll make a good impression on my debut there and eventually put the Philippines in the international racing map,” he added.

But the afternoon race turned out a nightmare for Buncio who ended with a DNF after experiencing unexpected problems with his radiator. 

Race 4 went to Mendoza who clocked 17 minutes and 40.288 seconds, finishing 17 seconds ahead of former superbikes champ Jolet Jao while David Pua made it third.

But Buncio still kept solo leadership in the series with 75 points.

Glen Aguilar of Yellowcab-Ducati-Access Plus finally got the groove aboard his new KTM 1100-cc bike as he pulled a sweep in the Open class, also posting a record fastest laptime of 1:41.778 seconds.

Winning the other races in this event sanctioned by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association (NAMSSA) were Ryan Medina, Miguel Bichara, Aries Padiernos and Dave de Leon.

Ryan Medina turned back Joshua Ybanez and Jayson Maligaya to pull a sweep in the Novice division while Bichara dominated the Masters class winning over Randy Ortiz and Joby Tanseco in Race 3 and later completed his sweep after prevailing over Ortiz and George Gerard in Race 4.

Padiernos topped the Formula 400 class over Simon Salenda and Glenn Aguilar while De Leon also made it double over Victor Yabes and Resty Lucas in the Sub 400 division.

For full results and other inquiries, interested parties may log on at www.batangasracingcircuit.com or contact the Batangas Racing Circuit c/o BRC Operations Manager Rodini Rivera or Nelson Gayola at (632) 817-2241, 729-5365 or fax 815-1241 for further details.