April 2007 (Back to Index)
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| April 20, 2007 | ||
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Bana Crashes Out | |
| April 20, 2007 | ||
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Updates on the Targa Tasmania | |
| April 17, 2007 | ||
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Bana Signs Babies | |
| April 15, 2007 | ||
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New Scans | |
| April 14, 2007 | ||
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Eric Guns it to the Max | |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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New Scans from Australia
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April 15, 2007
Source: HeraldSun
Provided By: Stardust
Thanks for scanning these in!
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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.
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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.
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"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.
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"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."
