April 20, 2007
		Bana Crashes Out
		April 20, 2007
		Updates on the Targa Tasmania
		April 17, 2007
		Bana Signs Babies
		April 15, 2007
		New Scans
		April 14, 2007
		Eric Guns it to the Max
		March 17, 2007
		Eric Goes to the Grand Prix
		March 2, 2007
		Eric Bana Leads All-Star Cast
		More News Updates...

Bana Crashes Out

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April 20, 2007: 11:30pm
Source: News.com.au

AUSTRALIAN actor Eric Bana and his co-driver were uninjured yesterday after they crashed their car during an around-the-state rally in Tasmania.

Bana, who is competing in the Targa Tasmania rally with co-driver Tony Ramunno, crashed his 1974 Ford XB Coupe into a bank, but both walked away from the crash, officials said.

"Bana and co-driver Tony Ramunno have put out their OK boards, indicating that neither of them required medical attention," a statement said. "Bana was in 53rd place, from a field of 115 cars in the Outright Classic competition, before the crash."

Initially, Bana hoped that the car, which he has owned since he was 15, could be repaired to continue the final day of racing on Sunday. But a closer inspection by his support crew showed that the front right-hand steering and suspension were too badly damaged.

"We had been having a great day until then," Bana said. "We were still being cautious but we had found a fairly comfortable rhythm and were really starting to enjoy ourselves as we got used to the car."

"But I misjudged a tight left-hander and we went in a little too fast - the car understeered off the road and got onto the gravel and we went into a couple of trees at a fairly low speed.

"The car is a little battered on the drivers side which is a real shame, as many hours had been spent reshaping its original panels to get it just right. It's a real shame, but thats motor racing."

The 38-year-old Bana has starred in movies such as The Hulk and Munich. His most recent film is "Lucky You," which also stars Robert Duvall and Drew Barrymore.

Updates on the Targa Tasmania

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Eric Bana: "It's going great."

April 20, 2007
Source: Targa.org.au

Hollywood star Eric Bana has settled into Targa this year, despite all the media attention and hype that some say could have affected his results.

Eric and his Ford XB Coupe, co-driven by Tony Ramunno, is sitting comfortably in the middle of the field in the Shannons Classic.

"Today was good, we are starting to get into a comfortable rhythm, we have had no problems with the car, so it's going great," Eric said of his Leg Two performance.

Not only has he enjoyed the experience and the feel of the Tasmanian roads, he also believes the event is a huge success.

The event to me, is very successful, it's been great!"

Eric finished Leg Three in 55th place, 14 minutes 30 behind the Shannons Classic leader.

Aussies Flex Muscles in Targa Classic

April 20, 2007
Source: ClassicRallies.com

Moving steadily forward near the middle of the 115-car Shannons Classic field are actor Eric Bana and Tony Ramunno in their 1974 Ford XB coupe, rising from 58th to 56th Outright and from 84th to 76th on handicap by the end of Leg 3.

TARMAC: Targa Tasmania - Day Two Classic Summary

April 19, 2007
Source: Motorsport.com

Back in the field Eric Bana in his potent 1974 XB Falcon is currently in 58th position outright out of the 115 starters in the Shannons Classic Competition and 84th in the Classic Handicap Competition.

TARMAC: Targa Tasmania - Day One Classic Summary

April 18, 2007
Source: Motorsport.com

Back in 54th place and still coming to grips with the power of his V8 Supercar spec-1974 Ford XB Coupe is Eric Bana with navigator Tony Ramunno.

The high-profile Lamborghinis of Adelaide's Kevin Weeks and Tasmanian Jason White were fifth and ninth respectively, and movie star Eric Bana was 57th out of 274 in his 1974 Ford XB muscle car.

Targa Tasmania Off to Flying Start

April 17, 2007
Source: ClassicRallies.com

Hollywood star, Eric Bana, was a huge hit with the crowd, but was well back, posting the 57th fastest time among the Classic entries in his Falcon XB Coupe.



Racing News

April 4, 2007
Source: Italiaspeed.com

However it was the 57th fastest crew of actor Eric Bana/Tony Ramunno in Bana’s spectacular bright red, 420kW 1974 Ford XB Coupe that drew the most attention, although they were caught and passed near the end of the stage by the Coads, who started 30 seconds behind them.

"Just dialing ourselves and the car in," said Bana, who was kept busy before and after his run being photographed with babies and signing programmes and even prams. "The rally starts tomorrow doesn't it?"

Bana Signs Babies

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April 17, 2007
Source: Targa.org.au

The Hollywood gossip mill will go on full boost should any of the home snaps of Eric Bana in the Prologue paddock ever get setn stateside.

Not content with asking obliging Eric to sign programmes and posters, an eager George Town resident thrust a baby into the actor's arms, then asked him to sign its bib and finally the bonnet of the child's pram!

Following in Peter Brock's footsteps as a Targa public hero was never going to be easy, but even Eric was surprised at the clamour for his attention.

New Scans from Australia

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April 15, 2007
Source: HeraldSun
Provided By: Stardust

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	Herald Sun (Australia: April 2007) Provided By: Stardust		Herald Sun (Australia: April 2007) Provided By: Stardust

Eric Bana Guns it to the Max

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April 14, 2007
Source: News.com.au
Written By: Nick Higginbottom
Provided By: Mona

MAD Max returned to Melbourne yesterday, in the form of Eric Bana.

The local actor turned global star has been gearing up for next Tuesday's Targa Tasmania rally in his fully restored, red 1974 XB Ford coupe.

A similar car stormed to fame when it appeared in George Miller's cult film Mad Max in 1979. Since then petrolheads worldwide have dreamed of owning one of the classic Australian cars.

And while the Hollywood star loves the car he bought 24 years ago, getting it ready for the rally has been something of a trial for the 38-year-old.

"Preparing an old car for the race can be akin to renovating a house, getting married and having a child all rolled into one," Bana said. "And perhaps a divorce as well.

"I've had the car for 24 years: it's my baby. I've rebuilt it probably three times and this most recent restoration is its most dramatic and the final one."

Bana is no stranger to the world of burning rubber and has competed in several rallies in the past decade.

"I did it (Targa) back in 1996 in the same car and I've done the Classic Adelaide a couple of times," Bana said.

"I did Rally Tasmania a few years ago as well and I race in the Victorian state circuit championship. But this is tarmac rallying, it's quite a bit different and somewhat more dangerous, as is the level of thrill, which is, I guess, commensurate to that."

So how did the man who played Chopper in the 2000 film of the same name fare in the 1996 Targa?

"We actually did really well, we finished third in our class that year, which we weren't expecting," he said.

"If we were to do the same next week I'd be thrilled, but the competition's moved on a bit since then."

Feeling both "excited and nervous" about the rally, Bana said if it wasn't for acting he would have competed every year.

"I basically did it back in '96 and vowed I'd do it every year and then my bloody career has gotten in the way," he said. "But this year I took the first six months off and Targa was a big reason for that. The car's pretty spectacular and I just can't wait to get down there and have a great time."

The Melbourne-born actor is focused on cars right now, but he's also passionate about his up-coming films.

Next month the locally made 'Romulus My Father' will hit Australian screens as will the US-produced 'Lucky You'. But the actor is particularly fond of the local film, on which he was also an associate producer.

"It was just fantastic and I'm really proud of the film," Bana said. "I'm hoping it coincides with lots of Australians actually going to see it and not waiting to buy it on DVD."

Eric Goes to the Grand Prix

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March 17, 2007

Eric attends the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia and hangs out in the Porsche garage with Peter Hill and Alex Davison. See the Hobbies section for more.

Eric Bana Leads All-Star Cast in Targa Tasmania

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March 2, 2007
Source: Targa.org.au

Eric Bana will head a star-filled entry list for 2007 Targa Tasmania, when Australia’s ultimate tarmac rally takes place from April 17-22. It will be Bana’s second outing in Targa Tasmania, but 2007 holds particular appeal for the star of 'Chopper', 'Troy' and 'Munich', as he will debut his newly-prepared Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe.

The car, which has been a treasured possession for 23 years, has just completed a major two year restoration, and Bana was keen to slot the Targa into a busy schedule to give it a first outing. His Targa Tasmania debut was back in 1996, and the international star has taken time this week to familiarise himself with the roads to be used in the 2007 tour around the Island State. Whilst Bill Pye’s Porsche Carrera will start favourite in Classic Outright, good judges believe that Bana, with his co-driver, long-time friend and fellow motoring enthusiast, Tony Ramunno, is certainly top-ten material. Event Director, Mark Perry, says Bana has shown good form in a range of motorsport events.

“Eric is a good steerer and the car he has prepared is an absolutely beautiful piece of machinery,” Perry said.

“If Eric has a good run I reckon he could sneak into the top ten outright, and when you consider some Porsches and other V8’s he’s up against, including Cattlin in his `Mean Green’ Mustang, that would be a pretty exceptional performance.”

“No doubt it’s good for the event to have someone of Eric’s calibre taking part. Motorsport is in his blood, so he’s jumped at the opportunity to spend six days driving his new toy around some of the best touring roads in the world.”

While the roads have huge appeal, it’s the chance to get away from in front of the camera and behind the steering wheel of his recently rebuilt Falcon that has Bana particularly excited.

“The car has been a labour of love, really,” Bana said. “Targa Tasmania is a fantastic showcase of classic cars, and I reckon our XB GT Coupe should bring back a lot of good memories for many of the fans watching the rally as it makes its way around Tasmania.”

Classic Outright contender, Peter O’Keefe and Julie Winton-Monet, who will return in their Torana SLR/5000, agree it will be good to have an XB GT Coupe out on the roads this year.

“The spirit of the event is really about classic cars, so while the modern cars go about the event

efficiently, it is the Classic cars that hold so much appeal to drivers and fans alike,” O’Keefe said.

The Modern category has again attracted some of the biggest names in Australian motorsport, with previous winners Jason & John White, Tony Longhurst and recent Rally Tasmania and Mt. Buller winner, Alan Simonsen joining event-legends and eight-time winners, Jim Richards & Barry Oliver in the chase for Modern Outright honours. Jason White, who teamed with John in winning Targa Tasmania in 2005, is hopeful of producing another win in his home-state event.

“We’d love to win again, but the quality of the event means the quality of the field is always increasing, and getting to Hobart in first place is certainly tougher than it’s ever been.”

 

Eric Bana Speaks at Targa Tasmania Launch

March 2, 2007
Source: Targa.org.au

"We've had the car for a long, long time and just completed a two year restoration and much to the shock of my dear friend Steve who built the car I decided to enter it in Targa this year so he's beside himself. If we put it back on the boat in as good a nick as it is at the moment then we'll be happy. But this car is really stunning and hopefully we'll put a few chips on it and take it home.

I don't think anything in life compares remotely to a tarmac rally, I've been very priviledged to experience a lot of high adrenalin stuff through work and through different forms of motor racing and I don't ahve any other experience in life that compares to how much your heart pumps out of your chest during a tarmac rally stage. I don't think there is anything that compares to it - circuit racing performing live, doing stand-up comedy, being on the Tonight Show - nothing compares to it so I'm quite addicted to them and unfortunately my career gets in the way a little bit, but I was able to put some time aside for this year.

We won't be that competitive in the car really. We'll be driving aggressively, but look, it's a car that I've owned for 24 years and it's in pretty immaculate condition so we'll be having a good time, but I have no intentions of challenging the front of the category. We've had good results in the car in the past and been in the top three in our class and if we were to do that I'd be thrilled. But the category we are in has a lot of far more experienced competitors and a lot of locals, and having driven the roads, 70 per cent of them once only, you just look at it and say you can't come close to competing with the locals if you just turn up out of the blue. But we certainly won't be pudding around - we'll be pushing the car and having a good time.

It's been completely impossible (to fit Targa in) for the past ten years, it occurred at the time of the month when I've come off a bit of a bludge period and I have to go back to work or I'm overseas because it's coming into summer overseas, so honestly since 1996 it's been my intention to come back every single year and it's taken eleven years for the moons to come into alignment to get down here this year. So I'm really excited about it and thrilled to be coming down.

The car that I'm running in I've owned since I was 15 and me and my mates like Tony (Ramunno, his navigator) have been tinkering with it, and playing with it and doing things we shouldn't for a long, long time and I didn't really have the time and the budget to go racing until literally around '96, late nineties, so I'm just a frustrated kid who didn't get to go go-karting who's living out his fantasies really."

New Scan from Germany

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January 14, 2007
Source: Maxim
Provided By: Patricia

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Eric Appears at the London Film Festival

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October 26, 2006
Source: Fox News
Written By: Roger Friedman
Photos Provided By: Wire Image

Standing Ovation for 'Bobby'

Regis Is King, as Usual Standing Ovation for 'Bobby' Emilio Estevez’s terrific movie, "Bobby," got a standing ovation last night at its premiere sponsored by the Times of London for the London Film Festival.

Estevez looked mildly shocked on stage as a full Odeon theatre, with guests including likely future prime minister of England Gordon Brown, honored him for his work on this outstanding film.

"Bobby," as I told you some weeks ago, is a Robert Altman-like story of many different characters at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 4, 1968, as Kennedy makes his way there to celebrate winning the California primary.

Last night, a few of the cast members including Christian Slater, Joy Bryant, Svetlana Metkina and Freddy Rodriguez (of "Six Feet Under" fame) came with Estevez and his new fiancée to accept the kudos.

The screening — and following swellicious party at Claridge’s — was such a hot ticket that Estevez’s other guests included Oscar-winning directors Anthony Minghella and Hugh Hudson; actors Jason Isaacs, Eric Bana, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as well as Americans Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins, who came over from shooting “Fred Claus” nearby with Judi Dench, Vince Vaughn and Kevin Spacey.

The screening was also such a success that later at Claridge’s, Slater showed off a previously unknown talent: he performed with the 12-piece swing band that the Times had hired, credibly crooning Frank Sinatra’s hits like "Come Fly with Me" and "Luck Be a Lady Tonight." Who knew Slater could give such a credible show?

Maybe a Broadway musical in his future?

On the Cover of 'Fade In' Magazine

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October 24, 2006
Source: Fade In Magazine
Provided By: Mona & Banalust

Steady As He Goes Big-hitter directors like Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott and Ang Lee sing his praises, and his movies have more than a billion dollars worldwide. So why is Eric Bana still such a mystery?

In light of the recent controversy regarding Gibson's anti-semitic remarks, to what degree do you think he should be held responsible?
At the end of the day, any crap that comes out of your mouth, you have to own. There are varying degrees of responsibility when it comes to cinema, and the final vision. We can all say, "I'm not completely responsible for the effect a film has," or you could say things were "out of my control." But one thing you can't ever blame anyone else for is what comes out of your mouth. We all have to live and die by that, and wear the weight of our words. Even I've done interviews where I've read the remarks and thought, "Wow, I was a bit looser with my words than I wanted to be." But, hey, it came out of my mouth. But he has kind of owned his words, the things he has said, hasn't he?

In the cases of Cruise and Gibson, and Russell Crowe last year, who do you think is more to blame: the media, for blowing the situations out of proportion; the public, for eating up the gossip; or Cruise - or Redstone - and Crowe and Gibson themselves for their actions?
It's definitely a combination. That's a tough one. I guess you look at the Gibson case and you know straight off the bat that it's going to attract a lot of hate, a lot of press. And, pretty much, rightly so. He's never really going to get away with that. Whereas with Tom, you look at what he did and question whether he was really out to hurt anybody.

Some actors have been outspoken in taking on causes, and it's been frowned upon at times. Are you political?
Would you ever use your celebrity to back a cause? I have a cause back home that I like to do what I can for. It's a charity. But politically, no. We do have some level of responsibility -- not politically, but socially I do. That's fair to expect. You can have an effect by the work you do, the movies that you're in and what those movies say. In a way, that can become your voice.

What do you think of the people who go out there and back issues or candidates, like George Clooney or Sean Penn?
A lot of times I have a lot of respect for it, especially when the person knows what they're talking about. If they don't know what they're talking about -- watch out. I wish I could be as knowledgeable as one of those people about so many different things, but I'm just not. Back home, I'm not interested in getting into politics, but if you ask my opinion about how we can stop seventeen-year-olds from having car accidents and killing themselves in a riot, I'll get into that.

If there is a misunderstanding about you among the public, what do you think it is?
I have no idea, because I have no idea how I'm perceived. I have absolutely no handle on it whatsoever. It's good and it's bad. It gets to the point where I actually completely forget what I do for a job. So that's a tricky one. When I'm not working with Richard on Romulus, I'm actually not an actor; I'm not a movie star. I'm just a guy who happens to be a father and a husband and a mate and a son and all that stuff. It is tricky because how we identify ourselves with ourselves, our work and our profession, is a part of that. And at times I do struggle with it because I forget that that's a part of my world. But when I do remember, I don't really understand where I stand within that world.

Do you understand the public's fascination with celebrity culture, and are you susceptible to it as well?
Yes and no. I get it on a human level, in the sense that everyone wants to know a little bit of gossip, everyone likes to hear something about someone. But I'm not that interested in hearing it about people that I know. So I don't understand the fascination with celebrity. Some events are not as interesting to the public as the media would like them to be, to a degree. But it makes sense. It's an industry. It's a business.

So what do you owe the public as a movie star?
It's pretty simple. You owe them to not ever walk through a film. You owe them to make correct choices and not sell your soul to a movie that you don't really want to do, and then not deliver. You have to deliver. You can't be a fake. Whatever you do, you've got to give it your best and believe in it. It's fair to expect that. You can't do it for a payday.

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