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Tracks (G1)

2007-01-29T05:53:24Z

24.33.79.246: /* Animated continuity */

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] in the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:tracksg1.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hi, I'm fabulous.]]

'''Tracks''' is a little bit of a narcissist, according to his Autobot buddies, and it's hard for him to stay lighthearted and gay under such criticism. He attributes it to jealousy: few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks' armament is considerable. He is able to launch two flaming incendiary missiles from long and durable launcher shafts. These projectiles are heat-seeking, tracing the warmth of unsuspecting Decepticon bodies and striking hard. He is further armed with a black-beam gun, which shoots forth a beam of light-negating radiation, embracing his enemies in darkness, unaware of the Autobot until he strikes from behind, and leaves them moaning on the cold ground!

Tracks can also fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet.

He should be a dangerous opponent, but his concern with preserving his stylish appearance and poor ability to work with fellow Autobots hampers him. Often he simply cruises the metro area alone all night, looking for Decepticons worthy of his attentions.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===

===Animated continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (USA), [[Shô Hayami]] (Japan)
[[Image:trackscruc2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Radio killed the video star.]]

When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city. {{Storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

Tracks had two turns as the episode star in the second season of Transformers. In both episodes, [[Make Tracks]] and [[Auto-Bop]], [[Raoul]], a young street punk named [[Raoul]] was also featured as the [[Spike]] to Tracks' [[Bumblebee]].

===Dreamwave comics continuity===

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot, 1985)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''44'''
[[Image:G1Tracks_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue Corvette Stingray with a large flame decal on his hood. Via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers, Tracks' vehicle mode could achieve a flight mode. In robot mode, Tracks is armed with a long rifle that covers most of his lower arm, and the two white rocket launchers are now attached to the head structure.

: The European version of Tracks by Milton Bradley was initially available in red, based on the original Diaclone color scheme. Due to poor sales, Hasbro decided to re-release Tracks in Europe, this time in his blue US colors. Because of this, the red MB version ended up being rather rare.

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage]], based on the red European version.

*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
[[Image:AMTracks_toy.jpg|right|thumb|150px|As if I would be seen wearing ''that''.]]

: This version of Tracks was was a European [[exclusive]], sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances, but was inaccurately coloured. As with all Action Masters, he cannot transform, but is highly articulted by the standards of the time, and came with small tank partner named Basher who could transform to a minor degree. Basher formed a sort of battle helmet/ugly hat and backpack equipment, coloured in bright green and baby blue. ''Oy.''

===Alternators===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
[[Image:BTTracks_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[Takara]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' line, with a yellow paint job, but was later released in blue to match [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Alternators]]'' release. Tracks transforms into a Corvette Z06 featuring open doors, hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his G1 self, though with one major difference - the roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a psuedo-car roof chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed Alternators toy.

: The main difference between the Japanese and US releases is that the Japanese Binaltech versions are constructed of die-cast metal for the majority of the car body panels, which are also fully painted. The blue version of Binaltech Tracks also came with a large reproduction of his original hood flame sticker. This sticker was eventually released with Hasbro's own Alternators [[Swerve]].

===Merchandise===

==Trivia==
*It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is a homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters.

* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston Howell (played by Jim Backus) from ''Gilligan's Island'' as the basis for the snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks' manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw".

* In parts of Europe, Tracks was released in the Diaclone toy's red deco. It is possible Hasbro has originally planned for tracks to be released in Diaclone colors, as Tracks is red complete with the Diaclone hood stickers ("CS" instead of the Autobot sigil) on the 1985 back-of-the-box mural.

*The [[Binaltech]]/[[Alternator]] Dodge Viper mold, first released as [[Sideswipe]], was originally designed as Tracks. In "The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide," a Japan only book on the series released in 2005, there are design drawings with Tracks' head, as well as a different transformation for the doors allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks' G1 wings. Although the original design drawings have certain Tracks-like features more pronounced, the final release version still has the basic design and many mold details that resemble Tracks more so than Sideswipe.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm Tracks at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Tracks Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Alternators]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Tracks (G1)

2007-01-29T05:46:06Z

24.33.79.246: /* Gay jokes */

Direct to eBay exclusive?

That's a joke, based on the rarity of Alt. Tracks. [[User:202.7.183.131|202.7.183.131]] 04:34, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

What about a Gay Transformers Catagory? There's probably enough to warrent one, Shockfleet, BWII Starscream, BB etc. etc. [[User:X-BoB58|X-BoB58]] 19:47, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

But Tracks isn't gay...I mean, TFs don't have sex anyway. Maybe my bio notes of his massive powers and handsome styling were unclear...*confused* [[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 20:04, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
:Categorically, NO! There is no official basis for "gay" Transformers, and the topic is beyond the appropriate purpose of this Wiki.--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 21:04, 8 May 2006 (UTC) (P.S. The reference to Raul doesn't belong in the main bio, either. It belongs in the "Animated Continuity" section.)
::Point conceded. I blame a.t.t. for warping my mind... --[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 21:24, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
:::Frankly I think all the of innuendo in that bio should be removed. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 22:12, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
::::Aw. I'm a *huge* fan of it. And it's technically not breaking any rules... --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 22:34, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
:::::The problem I have is that "gay Tracks" is a fandom construct. I am certainly guilty of using the concept to make jokes, but the character doesn't actually ever demonstrate romantic interest in other male characters. A page full innuendo to that effect stikes me as misleading. But, that's just my opinion. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 22:40, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
::::::See, the entry is no more gay than Tracks is. He's never said to be, but he sure acts like it. In that way, this write-up is completely accurate. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 23:52, 8 May 2006 (UTC)
:::::::I'm not too concerned about what's there. If it's not clearly a fan-construct, I'll not raise a huge fuss. But it is indeed full of innuendo that may not be appropriate. For example:

:::::::"well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated..."
:::::::"He is able to launch two flaming incendiary missiles from long and durable launcher tubes."
:::::::"embracing his enemies in darkness, unaware of the Autobot until he strikes from behind, and leaves them moaning on the cold ground!"
:::::::"Tracks can also fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet."

:::::::You get the idea. Technically accurate, but purposedly written in such a way as to play up the "gayness" of it all. I don't think it's cool.--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 00:02, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

:::::::I am confused by this statement: "He's never said to be, but he sure acts like it. In that way, this write-up is completely accurate." I don't understand how it's accurate to say that Tracks acts like he's gay. Here, as before, I am defining gay as demonstrating a romantic interest in characters that share his gender. Tracks doesn't do that. Hell, I think there's a better case to be made that Red Alert and Sandstorm are gay than Tracks is, depending on how one interprets their feelings for Inferno and Octane, respectively. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 02:16, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

:::::::You're quite right, of course;in fact, since Tracksy can't get along with his buddies, he has even less opportunity to show any kind of affection for them than Optimus Prime, and nobody every accused Prime of towing dual trailers. I also know very well that Tracks' voice actor (I'm not good with their names) was trying to portray him as an Ivy League snob. The trouble is that this conspires with his Bud-given personality to rather comic effect, and lends him a certain poncy air...and that was what I was trying to portray in the bio. I think.--[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 12:31, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

==Gay jokes==

I don't have a problem with allusions to Tracks' fan-constructed homosexuality, but I think that the number of references in the bio has reached and surpassed the saturation point. Also, the fact that this Transformers Wiki is so easily found in a google search recommends that any gay jokes be kept to a tasteful minimum. We have to remember that Transformers is a toy line aimed primarily at children, and as such, the potential audience must be considered. As it stands, there are 14 references and double entendres in the 4 paragraphs that make up the largest part of the bio. This is a serious issue. (Kizudarake on the Allspark)
:I'm not sure how any kid who doesn't or shouldn't know what this stuff means would even realize it's innuendo in the first place. Innuendo only works if you're already in on the joke. What five-year-old who doesn't understand that "shaft" is a euphemism for "penis" is going to stumble across this page and realize, "Oh, hey, this article is about gay sex!" This is not a serious issue. Certainly not on a wiki with [[Kiss Players]] of all things included. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 06:25, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
::But the "Mommy, what's this word mean?" effect can cause some serious problems, and complaints.(Kizudarake from The Allspark)
:::I'll say. Like why isn't the kid's online activity being monitored more closely? At any rate, the proper way to go about this, after having your changes reverted like 30 times, and being told 30 times to cut it out, is clearly not to do it again just now as we're having this discussion. How many times do you have to be told? Take a vacation! --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 06:41, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
:::Agreed. It's not the Wiki's job to account for lazy parenting. [[User:Awa64|Awa64]] 06:43, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
:I'm really not understanding your comment that "this is a serious issue". The innuendo will go over the head of anybody that doesn't already know that gay people exist. If a parent gets upset that their child read something that acknowledges the existence of gay people, then that's too bad. It's to the kid's benefit and the parent is a moron. If you are worried about the effect these jokes will have, you are welcome to disavow your involvement with this Wiki, which is easy because, you know, you ''have'' no involvement at all with this Wiki anyway except for having a weird issue with one particular article. The article's not going to change and it's not your problem. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 18:50, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
::I think what it comes down to is how the TF Wiki wants to be taken. If it wants to be taken seriously, the Tracks article needs to be re-written to a more "professional" standard. However as is the Wiki is largely humorous, and as such the Tracks article is mostly fine, although some of the jokes are stupid. The downside is that it somewhat compromises the integrity of the Wiki. --Debbie Downer

==Red Euro version==
The latest edit [http://transformers.wikia.com/index.php?title=Tracks&curid=1638&diff=30142&oldid=30141] claims that Tracks was released a second time (in blue) in Europe "due to poor sales". Is there any actual evidence for that? It sounds like fan supposition. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 15:09, 22 September 2006 (UTC)<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>