Suzuki Motorcycles Philippines recently had a celebrated field day at the opening round of the 2018 Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) and MotoIR Championship at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC). That’s due largely to the valiant efforts of team Suzuki-Wheeltek Racing and team Suzuki-VMan Racing, respectively.
In PSBK, young lady rider Jacq Buncio, the little sister of the late great Maico Buncio, put up a strong show of force as she clinched double podium finishes in PSBK’s Philippine National Motorcycle Champion events. The first of which is the Rookie Category where she dominated with a 1st place victory. On the other hand, she ended up placing 2nd in the tougher Novice Category. Finally, she again had the chance to step on the podium after taking 3rd place in PSBK’s Pirelli Cup Heavyweight Category A.
Meanwhile in MotoIR, Suzuki fielded 4 riders; April King Mascardo, Eane Jaye Sobretodo, Djereck Ondillio, and Dan Carlo Alvarado. Macasardo and Sobretodo both had a number of motorcycle racing experiences, while Ondillio and Alvarado are this year’s new contenders. As such, the former two are battling it out in the MotoIR1, the expert category. The latter two, meanwhile, fall under the MotoIR3 or the novice/beginner category.
In MotoIR1, Sobretodo managed to secure pole position in the qualifying stints. However, he suffered a technical problem mid-race. This handed Macasardo the opportunity to carry on. He would eventually place 3rd on the podium. Down in MotoIR3, Ondillio and Alvarado ended the race in 1st and 2nd places, respectively.
The 2018 Philippine Superbike Championship will return on June 2 and 3 at the Batangas Racing Circuit for its 2nd round. Of course, this will coincide with Round 2 of the 2018 MotoIR Championship.
Photo by Suzuki Motorcycles Philippines
