FOR motorcycle racing champion Jacq Buncio, being fast is only part of the responsibility that comes with riding. The Filipina racer is using her experience on the racetrack to remind motorists that public roads are not places to test their limits, stressing that responsible riding means knowing when to slow down. “You can’t be fast if you can’t slow down,” Buncio said in an interview on The Scorecard of Bilyonaryo News Channel. Buncio called on motorcycle riders to be more mindful of other road users, pointing out that reckless driving is not just a personal risk but also a danger to other people. “You can’t be selfish. You can’t be selfish na if you guys don’t want to go home to your families, we want to,” she said. The champion racer also shared that she has encountered road rage incidents, particularly from motorists who appear to challenge her because she is a woman. But Buncio chooses not to engage, saying that responding to such behavior would contradict her role as a road safety advocate. “I have to. I have to. Kasi kapag pumatol ako doon, what’s the point of being a safety advocate, hindi ba?” she said. Her advocacy carries added weight given her accomplishments in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Buncio made history in 2016 when she became the first female motorcycle circuit racer to win an overall Philippine Pirelli Superbike Championship title. She went on to capture the Rookie overall crown in the 2018 Philippine Superbike Championship and the Intermediate category title in 2021. But beyond collecting trophies, Buncio hopes to help make motorsport more accessible to aspiring riders, giving them a proper venue to develop their skills instead of taking unnecessary risks on public roads. She also wants to leave a lasting legacy for women in the sport, having spent more than a decade competing in a male-dominated field. Buncio revealed that her journey began in 2011, following the death of her brother, Maico, who also lost his life in a racing accident. She initially pursued the sport to continue what he had started and to bring back the passion for racing that her family had shared. Now, she hopes her journey can inspire more women to take their place on the starting grid. As she continues her racing career, Buncio’s message to fellow riders remains simple: getting home safely is more important than winning a race. “Always ride safe. Always, you need to go home. Walang championship sa kalsada, guys. Umuwi lang kayo nang safe sa pamilya ninyo, panalo na kayo,” she said.