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Tracks (G1)

2012-06-25T20:09:27Z

69.57.55.218: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Tracks}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''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, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even 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. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{bigquote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with Bumblebee, Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|"What are the chances? The only two Autobots marching and we turned up wearing the same outfit."]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[Attack of the Alien Robots director|director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Story of Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on [[Wyoming base|Decepticon headquarters]] which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}

====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of [[Autobase]] on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. When [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] agreed to join forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prime]], Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon [[Rotor Force]] members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===''TransTech''===
Tracks (in his [[Binaltech]] body) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

During the battle for [[Sherma Bridge]] early in the war, Tracks and all other combatants dropped what they were doing to watch the first duel between Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campolongo]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

Eventually, Skywatch realized that the Autobots were good guys and formed an alliance with them, freeing Tracks in the process. He and the other Autobots fled the Skywatch base after a Decepticon attack, were chased by angry humans for a while, then were soundly defeated in battle with a newly upgraded Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

Tracks was present at the Autobot base when Hot Rod (now calling himself Rodimus) showed up to warn everyone that Cybertron, which was habitable again, had been conquered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots quickly left Earth to reclaim their home planet. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} Once they arrived, it turned out Galvatron was using [[Kimia Facility]] to attack the planet. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Tracks and the other Autobot fliers attacked Kimia and fought with the many [[Sweep]]s defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

===''Wings Universe''===
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Tracks was part of a team which took down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] after the Decepticon breached [[Autobot City]]. They had to retreat when the Constructicons fought back. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. 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 mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks, released by Hasbro's newly acquired [[Milton Bradley]] subsidiary, was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme (the toy is also featured in red on the mural scene on the back of 1985 Transformers packaging). In fact, it is believed (based on very plausible evidence) that this red Tracks, as well as the rest of the last-minute second wave of MB-branded Transformers toys released in 1985, was actually a ''Diaclone'' toy originally released by French company [[Joustra]] taken out of its packaging, given a [[rubsign]] and put in an MB Transformers box when Hasbro/MB acquired Joustra's still unsold ''Diaclone'' stock.<ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "MB Transformers: Part 4"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> When Hasbro's name replaced the MB branding on European Transformers packaging, many of the MB-branded toys were re-released in the new packaging. The "Hasbro"-branded version of Tracks now sported the same blue color as his US counterpart.<ref name="maz">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]], an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] redeco based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
*'''Tracks''' (Classic Hero, 1991)
: Tracks was re-released in Europe in 1991 as part of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line, again in his standard blue Transformers color scheme.

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland from the R-Kioski store chain there but in limited numbers with only a few originals found from these stores.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
*'''Tracks''' (2002)
: Tracks was reissued by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] on [[September 27]] of 2002 as part of their "book-box" ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series of [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]].

===Commemorative Series===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2003)
: Tracks was reissued by [[Hasbro]] as part of the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series V]]'', now officially named "Autobot Tracks" for trademark reasons.

===Alternators/Binaltech===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' toy of Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors, an opening hood with an engine block underneath, a realistic interior and a "steering" mechanism that makes the front wheels move in unison. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a [[Kibble#.22Faux-parts.22|pseudo-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.

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Binaltech'' line with a yellow paint job. The Hasbro version was initially also intended to be released in yellow first, with a [[Variant#Running changes|running change]] to blue intended to come out later. However, when problems with the yellow plastic were discovered at the [[prototype|test shot]] stage, Hasbro decided to scrap the yellow version and released the toy in blue from the get-go. There is no evidence that the yellow Hasbro version ever made it to the packaging stage, therefore any [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] that the toy was shipped to stores and then recalled are unsubstantiated. A blue ''Binaltech'' variant was later also released to match the Hasbro version, which retroactively replaced the yellow version as the "main" color variant in Takara's promotional material for the line (even though the blue version's packaging and [[instructions|instruction booklet]] still depict the yellow version).

: 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 (G1)#Alternators|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks with a new head.

: Due to only shipping in two [[wave]]s, Tracks initially ended up as one of the rarer ''Alternators'' toys. When Hasbro tried to relaunch the line in 2006, a re-released Tracks (with no changes other than the different packaging) was part of the first wave of the new assortment. Ironically, the re-released Tracks ended up as a [[shelfwarmer]] this time around.

: This sculpt was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

: The original prototype for Tracks (seen in the Takara [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the toy's packaging and in the instruction booklet) featured a spring-loaded trigger mechanism for the arm cannons, which was changed to the final toy's manually deployed cannon mechanism starting with the test shot stage.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three [[C joint|C clip]] weapons, one of which can be handheld, while the missile launchers clip behind his head, a callback to his G1 toy. He can also assume a flying car mode by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the missile launchers from under the doors to tabs on a rotatable flipout panel just behind the rear window. This configuration frees up the launchers' clips, allowing [[Cyberverse]] accessories to be attached. His main gun can then attach to his underside. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rubsign]].

:Turbo Tracks was redecoed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] and retooled into ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and ''Timelines'' [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 "black beam gun"/clip-on launcher

:''[[Transformers United|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. The yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' chest is unpainted on the United version, and the yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' waist is now silver. United Tracks has light blue painted eyes to Turbo Tracks' unpainted smoky gray. United Tracks also has a more detailed rear in car mode, featuring painted exhausts, a silver grill detail, as well as the painted taillights like on Turbo Tracks. Unlike a good portion of Turbo Tracks figures, the red paint on United Tracks' face comes all the way up to the crest of his helmet. Despite all these changes, the two figures have identical (or nearly identical) plastic colors. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.

:The Japanese Instructions show to flip down the rear tires while the car is in Flight Mode.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:1985MuralRedTracks.jpg|thumb|225px|I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.]]
*As mentioned above, the red ''[[Diaclone]]'' version of Tracks appears on Hasbro's 1985 packaging mural (along with several other toys in early or unused color schemes). What makes this particular appearance stranger than the rest is the red Tracks' depiction – apparently confronting [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and shooting at [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] – which implies the artist thought proto-Tracks was a [[Decepticon]].
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.
* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].
* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.
* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".
* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Transformers: Alternators| Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.
* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.
* Not that there's anything wrong with that.
* But really. He's not gay.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tracks''' (トラックス ''Torakkusu'')
*''French:'' '''Le Sillage''' (Canada, "The Trail")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
*''Italian:'' '''Puma'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rasto''' (Portugal comic, "Track"), '''Trilho''' (Brazil comic, "Track")
*''Russian:'' '''Krah''' (Крах, "Failure")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Tracks (G1)

2012-06-25T20:07:44Z

69.57.55.218: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Tracks}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''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, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even 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. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{bigquote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with Bumblebee, Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|"What are the chances? The only two Autobots marching and we turned up wearing the same outfit."]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[Attack of the Alien Robots director|director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Story of Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on [[Wyoming base|Decepticon headquarters]] which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}

====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of [[Autobase]] on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. When [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] agreed to join forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prime]], Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon [[Rotor Force]] members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===''TransTech''===
Tracks (in his [[Binaltech]] body) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

During the battle for [[Sherma Bridge]] early in the war, Tracks and all other combatants dropped what they were doing to watch the first duel between Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campolongo]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

Eventually, Skywatch realized that the Autobots were good guys and formed an alliance with them, freeing Tracks in the process. He and the other Autobots fled the Skywatch base after a Decepticon attack, were chased by angry humans for a while, then were soundly defeated in battle with a newly upgraded Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

Tracks was present at the Autobot base when Hot Rod (now calling himself Rodimus) showed up to warn everyone that Cybertron, which was habitable again, had been conquered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots quickly left Earth to reclaim their home planet. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} Once they arrived, it turned out Galvatron was using [[Kimia Facility]] to attack the planet. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Tracks and the other Autobot fliers attacked Kimia and fought with the many [[Sweep]]s defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

===''Wings Universe''===
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Tracks was part of a team which took down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] after the Decepticon breached [[Autobot City]]. They had to retreat when the Constructicons fought back. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. 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 mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks, released by Hasbro's newly acquired [[Milton Bradley]] subsidiary, was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme (the toy is also featured in red on the mural scene on the back of 1985 Transformers packaging). In fact, it is believed (based on very plausible evidence) that this red Tracks, as well as the rest of the last-minute second wave of MB-branded Transformers toys released in 1985, was actually a ''Diaclone'' toy originally released by French company [[Joustra]] taken out of its packaging, given a [[rubsign]] and put in an MB Transformers box when Hasbro/MB acquired Joustra's still unsold ''Diaclone'' stock.<ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "MB Transformers: Part 4"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> When Hasbro's name replaced the MB branding on European Transformers packaging, many of the MB-branded toys were re-released in the new packaging. The "Hasbro"-branded version of Tracks now sported the same blue color as his US counterpart.<ref name="maz">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]], an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] redeco based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
*'''Tracks''' (Classic Hero, 1991)
: Tracks was re-released in Europe in 1991 as part of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line, again in his standard blue Transformers color scheme.

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland from the R-Kioski store chain there but in limited numbers.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
*'''Tracks''' (2002)
: Tracks was reissued by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] on [[September 27]] of 2002 as part of their "book-box" ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series of [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]].

===Commemorative Series===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2003)
: Tracks was reissued by [[Hasbro]] as part of the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series V]]'', now officially named "Autobot Tracks" for trademark reasons.

===Alternators/Binaltech===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' toy of Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors, an opening hood with an engine block underneath, a realistic interior and a "steering" mechanism that makes the front wheels move in unison. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a [[Kibble#.22Faux-parts.22|pseudo-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.

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Binaltech'' line with a yellow paint job. The Hasbro version was initially also intended to be released in yellow first, with a [[Variant#Running changes|running change]] to blue intended to come out later. However, when problems with the yellow plastic were discovered at the [[prototype|test shot]] stage, Hasbro decided to scrap the yellow version and released the toy in blue from the get-go. There is no evidence that the yellow Hasbro version ever made it to the packaging stage, therefore any [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] that the toy was shipped to stores and then recalled are unsubstantiated. A blue ''Binaltech'' variant was later also released to match the Hasbro version, which retroactively replaced the yellow version as the "main" color variant in Takara's promotional material for the line (even though the blue version's packaging and [[instructions|instruction booklet]] still depict the yellow version).

: 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 (G1)#Alternators|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks with a new head.

: Due to only shipping in two [[wave]]s, Tracks initially ended up as one of the rarer ''Alternators'' toys. When Hasbro tried to relaunch the line in 2006, a re-released Tracks (with no changes other than the different packaging) was part of the first wave of the new assortment. Ironically, the re-released Tracks ended up as a [[shelfwarmer]] this time around.

: This sculpt was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

: The original prototype for Tracks (seen in the Takara [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the toy's packaging and in the instruction booklet) featured a spring-loaded trigger mechanism for the arm cannons, which was changed to the final toy's manually deployed cannon mechanism starting with the test shot stage.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three [[C joint|C clip]] weapons, one of which can be handheld, while the missile launchers clip behind his head, a callback to his G1 toy. He can also assume a flying car mode by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the missile launchers from under the doors to tabs on a rotatable flipout panel just behind the rear window. This configuration frees up the launchers' clips, allowing [[Cyberverse]] accessories to be attached. His main gun can then attach to his underside. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rubsign]].

:Turbo Tracks was redecoed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] and retooled into ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and ''Timelines'' [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 "black beam gun"/clip-on launcher

:''[[Transformers United|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. The yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' chest is unpainted on the United version, and the yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' waist is now silver. United Tracks has light blue painted eyes to Turbo Tracks' unpainted smoky gray. United Tracks also has a more detailed rear in car mode, featuring painted exhausts, a silver grill detail, as well as the painted taillights like on Turbo Tracks. Unlike a good portion of Turbo Tracks figures, the red paint on United Tracks' face comes all the way up to the crest of his helmet. Despite all these changes, the two figures have identical (or nearly identical) plastic colors. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.

:The Japanese Instructions show to flip down the rear tires while the car is in Flight Mode.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:1985MuralRedTracks.jpg|thumb|225px|I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.]]
*As mentioned above, the red ''[[Diaclone]]'' version of Tracks appears on Hasbro's 1985 packaging mural (along with several other toys in early or unused color schemes). What makes this particular appearance stranger than the rest is the red Tracks' depiction – apparently confronting [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and shooting at [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] – which implies the artist thought proto-Tracks was a [[Decepticon]].
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.
* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].
* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.
* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".
* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Transformers: Alternators| Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.
* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.
* Not that there's anything wrong with that.
* But really. He's not gay.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tracks''' (トラックス ''Torakkusu'')
*''French:'' '''Le Sillage''' (Canada, "The Trail")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
*''Italian:'' '''Puma'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rasto''' (Portugal comic, "Track"), '''Trilho''' (Brazil comic, "Track")
*''Russian:'' '''Krah''' (Крах, "Failure")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Tracks (G1)

2012-06-25T20:06:08Z

69.57.55.218: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Tracks}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''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, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even 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. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{bigquote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with Bumblebee, Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|"What are the chances? The only two Autobots marching and we turned up wearing the same outfit."]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[Attack of the Alien Robots director|director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Story of Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on [[Wyoming base|Decepticon headquarters]] which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}

====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of [[Autobase]] on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. When [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] agreed to join forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prime]], Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon [[Rotor Force]] members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===''TransTech''===
Tracks (in his [[Binaltech]] body) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

During the battle for [[Sherma Bridge]] early in the war, Tracks and all other combatants dropped what they were doing to watch the first duel between Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campolongo]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

Eventually, Skywatch realized that the Autobots were good guys and formed an alliance with them, freeing Tracks in the process. He and the other Autobots fled the Skywatch base after a Decepticon attack, were chased by angry humans for a while, then were soundly defeated in battle with a newly upgraded Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

Tracks was present at the Autobot base when Hot Rod (now calling himself Rodimus) showed up to warn everyone that Cybertron, which was habitable again, had been conquered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots quickly left Earth to reclaim their home planet. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} Once they arrived, it turned out Galvatron was using [[Kimia Facility]] to attack the planet. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Tracks and the other Autobot fliers attacked Kimia and fought with the many [[Sweep]]s defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

===''Wings Universe''===
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Tracks was part of a team which took down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] after the Decepticon breached [[Autobot City]]. They had to retreat when the Constructicons fought back. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. 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 mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks, released by Hasbro's newly acquired [[Milton Bradley]] subsidiary, was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme (the toy is also featured in red on the mural scene on the back of 1985 Transformers packaging). In fact, it is believed (based on very plausible evidence) that this red Tracks, as well as the rest of the last-minute second wave of MB-branded Transformers toys released in 1985, was actually a ''Diaclone'' toy originally released by French company [[Joustra]] taken out of its packaging, given a [[rubsign]] and put in an MB Transformers box when Hasbro/MB acquired Joustra's still unsold ''Diaclone'' stock.<ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "MB Transformers: Part 4"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> When Hasbro's name replaced the MB branding on European Transformers packaging, many of the MB-branded toys were re-released in the new packaging. The "Hasbro"-branded version of Tracks now sported the same blue color as his US counterpart.<ref name="maz">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]], an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] redeco based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
*'''Tracks''' (Classic Hero, 1991)
: Tracks was re-released in Europe in 1991 as part of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line, again in his standard blue Transformers color scheme.

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland from the R-Kioski store chain there.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
*'''Tracks''' (2002)
: Tracks was reissued by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] on [[September 27]] of 2002 as part of their "book-box" ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series of [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]].

===Commemorative Series===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2003)
: Tracks was reissued by [[Hasbro]] as part of the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series V]]'', now officially named "Autobot Tracks" for trademark reasons.

===Alternators/Binaltech===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' toy of Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors, an opening hood with an engine block underneath, a realistic interior and a "steering" mechanism that makes the front wheels move in unison. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a [[Kibble#.22Faux-parts.22|pseudo-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.

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Binaltech'' line with a yellow paint job. The Hasbro version was initially also intended to be released in yellow first, with a [[Variant#Running changes|running change]] to blue intended to come out later. However, when problems with the yellow plastic were discovered at the [[prototype|test shot]] stage, Hasbro decided to scrap the yellow version and released the toy in blue from the get-go. There is no evidence that the yellow Hasbro version ever made it to the packaging stage, therefore any [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] that the toy was shipped to stores and then recalled are unsubstantiated. A blue ''Binaltech'' variant was later also released to match the Hasbro version, which retroactively replaced the yellow version as the "main" color variant in Takara's promotional material for the line (even though the blue version's packaging and [[instructions|instruction booklet]] still depict the yellow version).

: 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 (G1)#Alternators|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks with a new head.

: Due to only shipping in two [[wave]]s, Tracks initially ended up as one of the rarer ''Alternators'' toys. When Hasbro tried to relaunch the line in 2006, a re-released Tracks (with no changes other than the different packaging) was part of the first wave of the new assortment. Ironically, the re-released Tracks ended up as a [[shelfwarmer]] this time around.

: This sculpt was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

: The original prototype for Tracks (seen in the Takara [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the toy's packaging and in the instruction booklet) featured a spring-loaded trigger mechanism for the arm cannons, which was changed to the final toy's manually deployed cannon mechanism starting with the test shot stage.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three [[C joint|C clip]] weapons, one of which can be handheld, while the missile launchers clip behind his head, a callback to his G1 toy. He can also assume a flying car mode by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the missile launchers from under the doors to tabs on a rotatable flipout panel just behind the rear window. This configuration frees up the launchers' clips, allowing [[Cyberverse]] accessories to be attached. His main gun can then attach to his underside. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rubsign]].

:Turbo Tracks was redecoed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] and retooled into ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and ''Timelines'' [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 "black beam gun"/clip-on launcher

:''[[Transformers United|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. The yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' chest is unpainted on the United version, and the yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' waist is now silver. United Tracks has light blue painted eyes to Turbo Tracks' unpainted smoky gray. United Tracks also has a more detailed rear in car mode, featuring painted exhausts, a silver grill detail, as well as the painted taillights like on Turbo Tracks. Unlike a good portion of Turbo Tracks figures, the red paint on United Tracks' face comes all the way up to the crest of his helmet. Despite all these changes, the two figures have identical (or nearly identical) plastic colors. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.

:The Japanese Instructions show to flip down the rear tires while the car is in Flight Mode.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:1985MuralRedTracks.jpg|thumb|225px|I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.]]
*As mentioned above, the red ''[[Diaclone]]'' version of Tracks appears on Hasbro's 1985 packaging mural (along with several other toys in early or unused color schemes). What makes this particular appearance stranger than the rest is the red Tracks' depiction – apparently confronting [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and shooting at [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] – which implies the artist thought proto-Tracks was a [[Decepticon]].
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.
* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].
* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.
* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".
* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Transformers: Alternators| Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.
* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.
* Not that there's anything wrong with that.
* But really. He's not gay.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tracks''' (トラックス ''Torakkusu'')
*''French:'' '''Le Sillage''' (Canada, "The Trail")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
*''Italian:'' '''Puma'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rasto''' (Portugal comic, "Track"), '''Trilho''' (Brazil comic, "Track")
*''Russian:'' '''Krah''' (Крах, "Failure")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

S.O.S. Dinobots

2012-02-10T19:22:13Z

69.57.55.218: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=8
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=7
|prev2=Divide and Conquer
|next2=War of the Dinobots
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=4
|prev3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|next3=Heavy Metal War
|image=FHE-SOSDinobots.jpg
|caption="Uh, who?" '''"Everybody!"'''
|title="S.O.S. Dinobots"
|production code=#700-05
|airdate=[[October 27]], 1984
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Autobots create the Dinobots, but can barely control these new powerful warriors.'''

:''Japanese title:'' ダイノボット誕生! (''Dinobot Tanjō!'', "Dinobots Are Born!")
:''German Generation 2 title:'' Die Dinobots (''The Dinobots'')
:''Russian title:'' На помощь, Диноботы! (''Na pomoshch, Dinoboty!'', "Help us, Dinobots!")
:''Serbian title:'' С.О.С Диноботи (''S.O.S Dinoboti'')
:''Italian title, dub 1:'' '''La nascita dei Dinorobot''' ("Birth of the Dinobots")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''S.O.S. Dinobots'''
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
[[Image:SOSDinobots_fossilcavern.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Guys, I think we found [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]]'s stash.]]

A series of tremors turns the attentions of the Autobots into the ancient stone surrounding their volcano headquarters. Deep sensor scans reveal [[dinosaur]] fossils, which pique the curiosity of Optimus Prime. Spike explains that dinosaurs were very powerful reptiles that lived on [[Earth]] millions of years ago. He takes Hound on a tour of a natural history museum to further illustrate his paleontological crash-course. Hound snaps a few holograms of dinosaur bone displays, inspiring Wheeljack and Ratchet to construct robotic versions of dinosaurs.
[[Image:SOSDinobots_Grimlockwrecks_Teletraan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|When the [[television|TV]] no work, Me know how to fix it!]]

[[Image:SOSDinobots_Ravage_window.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Holy Hell!]]
[[Image:SOSDinobots_Autobotsfall.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Bet you wished you scanned air vehicle forms now, huh?]]

Elsewhere, the Decepticons stake out the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power facility. Reflector and Soundwave return with the data they gathered, and Megatron orders a strike.

Wheeljack unveils the three new additions to their ranks: the Dinobots Grimlock, Slag and Sludge. The demonstration of their power turns sour as they run amuck, their primitive brains unable to control their raw strength. The Dinobots begin attacking their fellow Autobots, even destroying [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan]].

The Autobots finally rein in the rampaging Dinobots thanks to Wheeljack's [[magnetic inducer]]. Prime declares the terrible trio to be too dangerous. Despite Wheeljack's desperate entreaties, Prime pulls the plug on the project, and orders the Dinobots holed up in a cavern in the Ark, never to be activated again.

The Decepticons arrive at the Great Falls, and the humans try to reach the Autobots via Teletraan I. Their distress signal goes unheard, as Teletraan I is currently offline thanks to the Dinobot rampage.

With Teletraan I out of commission, it's up to individual Autobot scouts like Hound to be on the lookout for Decepticon activity. Hound's sensors detect the ransacking of the Great Falls plant, and he and Spike go to investigate. Hound radios in his findings to the Ark, and Optimus Prime leaves with a strike force, leaving Bumblebee behind to guard the base.

The Autobots arrive at the Great Falls, but the Decepticons are ready for them. A battle erupts, and Megatron fires his fusion cannon directly powered by the Great Falls output. He blasts the cliff-face where the Autobots stand, sending them falling into the raging waters below.

[[Image:SOSDinobots_Megatron_falls.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I've warned you about that, mighty Megatron.]]
[[Image:SOSDinobots_SSMegatron_attacks_Dinobots.jpg|thumb|right|200px|When you get shot at, you die. When the Dinobots get shot at, they '''glow with a holy light'''.]]

Disobeying orders, Bumblebee arrives at the Great Falls and picks up Spike. They return to the Ark, informing Wheeljack and Ratchet of the Autobots' failure at the Great Falls. Wheeljack decides to reactivate the Dinobots. He has secretly developed a series of memory components that would upgrade the Dinobots' brains. The Dinobots awaken. Still relatively simple-minded, they are now much more intelligent than the mindless monsters that first appeared. Sludge, Slag and Grimlock carry out Wheeljack's orders and fly to the Great Falls.

The Decepticons pull the soggy Autobots from the drink and truss them up with [[Energon chains]]. Just as the Decepticons are about to execute the captives, the Dinobots arrive and make short work of the Decepticons who retreat as Wheeljack frees the Autobot captives. Wheeljack and Bumblebee brace themselves for reprimands for disobeying Prime's direct orders, but Prime concedes he was wrong. He accepts the Dinobots as the newest members of the Autobot forces. The Autobots cheer the decision, and the Dinobots growl their approval.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (4)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (7)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (8)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (11)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (12)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (14)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (19)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (20)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (21)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (22)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (23)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (25)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (27)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (28)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (29)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (9)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (15)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (16)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (17)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (18)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (30)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (31)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"Well I'll be a Cybertronic [[bolt-bat]]!"
:—'''Sideswipe'''

"Robot dinosaurs might be useful. You have my authorization."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives the okay to make the Dinobots, because sure, why not?

"Maybe Hound's got [[Glitch mouse|glitch mice]] in his databanks again!"
:—'''Bluestreak''', mocking Hound's radar accuracy, to the amusement of no one

"Nice shootin', if you were aimin' for the sky!"
:—'''Rumble''' goading Bluestreak

"Which ones... friends?" 
"Ones with... face like this...uh, I think." 
"That... good enough for Slag."
:—'''Slag''' and '''Sludge''' determine friend from foe by using faction symbols.

"If on Decepticon turf you happen to tumble, look out robot, 'cause here comes Rumble!"
:—'''Rumble'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s clever combat banter

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* Ironhide's cheekguards are gray instead of red as he explains his sonadar sensor.
* Brawn's lines don't quite time up with the animation; he says "let's clean up this mess" while in the middle of tossing rocks everywhere; and he says "Hey, there's a cavern in there!" while gaping at a huge opening that must have been revealed much earlier in their dig.
* Wheeljack likewise says "Feels like stone" before he's even picked up one of the dinosaur bones. His ears don't flash for the first part of his line. And the top of his chest is colored windshield blue when it should be metal armor white.
* Speaking of which, Wheeljack's ears flash orange in this episode, rather than the usual blue. It's a convention that also appeared in "[[Roll for It]]" (an episode which has a similar art style to this one.)
* Jazz clearly isn't with the group that enters the cave; yet he abruptly pops up out of nowhere to say his line.
* Only the front of Wheeljack's ears flash for his "I'd sure like to know more about 'em" line.
* The exposition-spouting tourist visiting the Great Falls hydroelectric power plant has hair that turns from red to black from one shot to the next.
* Spike identifies a ''Brontosaurus'' during his tour of the museum's dinosaur exhibit, though there does not appear to be a ''Brontosaurus'' on display. Though, to be fair, it may just be Spike's error, or the ''Brontosaurus'' skeleton might be out of the camera's view. (Also, by the time this episode took place, [[Wikipedia:Brontosaurus|''Brontosaurus'' was a deprecated genus]], but that's just picking nits.)
* Wheeljack's ears are drawn as mishapen white blobs as he and Prime first call up the image of the dinosaurs on Teletraan 1.
* Wheeljack is missing his wings as he works on the helmet-brain units.
* The Decepticon Headquarters docking tower is rather clumsily animated against the background matte, shaking a bit as it lowers. When the tower lowers, the source of the streaming bubbles lowers with it!
* "I suppose you've devised a brilliant plan..." Starscream's intakes are shown behind his shoulders, rather than on top of them.
* The top of the docking tower is missing as the Decepticons fly out it.
* Wheeljack's line of dialogue, "Autobots, meet Dinobots" is delivered by Ratchet.
* As Wheeljack introduces the Dinobots, the foreground characters slide magically against the background scenery due to an error in animation.
* As the Autobots react with shock upon seeing the Dinobots, all three audible lines in the scene—"Look at the size of those things", "Great Cybertron", and "Holy heterodyne"—are animated as being spoken by Bluestreak. The lines were evidently not scripted as belonging to any specific characters, as they are provided respectively by [[Peter Cullen]] (using neither Prime nor Ironhide's voice), [[Dan Gilvezan]] (sounding like himself) and [[Gregg Berger]] (who shouldn't be voicing ''any'' of the assembled Autobots!).
* Wheeljack's is missing his wings as he's introducing the Dinobots.
*As Huffer mocks the Dinobots, he says: "Dinobots, huh? I thought you were supposed to make ''dino''saurs!" The emphasis, of course, should be on the "saurs".
* In his introductory shot, Slag's head is miscolored, mostly gray instead of all-red. This is the first of many, many, many times that his head and face will get the wrong colors.
* Another frequent coloring error has Sludge with gray on the sides of his dino head, which should be all-gold. It pops up numerous times in this episode.
* Optimus Prime's line, "Interesting, but what else can they do?" is delivered by Cliffjumper.
* As he opens his mouth to clear the rubble, Grimlock's dinosaur head has whole bunch of extra joint lines, based on his toy's detail. This detail never appears again.
* Bluestreak gets Optimus Prime's laser rifle sound effect for his shoulder launcher blasts.
* As Slag shoots him, Sideswipe cries out in Bluestreak's voice.
* As Grimlock heads into the control room, he just slides across the frame, rather than being animated with leg motion, etc.
* Grimlock clearly destroys the big main screen with the lolipop next to it. Yet as Bumblebee tries to get away, he passes this same screen, totally intact, while the explosion comes from somewhere else (unless there's ''two'' big screens with lolipops?)
* Ratchet rights a tipped-over Bumblebee in the thick of the Dinobot rampage. After Bumblebee drives away, the section of Ratchet obscured by a foreground Bumblebee is still missing .
* As often happens, Prowl has Sideswipe's voice as he asks "Doesn't anything get to this guy?"
* Prime's missing his grille lines as he declares that the Dinobots must be destroyed.
* As he fires to deactivate the Dinobots, Wheeljack's missile launcher swings around and clicks into place, pointing forward. Only... it was already pointing forward just a second earlier.
* After standing in front of the cave lamenting the loss of his creations (aw, poor Wheeljack!), Wheeljack moves out of the way as the Autobots open fire to seal the cavern. Yet as the rocks come down, he's back in front of the cave.
* When the Decepticons arrive at the Great Falls plant, Rumble is colored like Brawn.
* As Skywarp and another Decepticon land, a foreground Decepticon Seeker's leg is colored a deep yellow (an error, but as close as [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] ever came to appearing on Earth in a Generation 1 cartoon.)
* As Megatron claims control of the dam and the Decepticons strike silly poses, two background Seekers appear to have Bluestreak's colors.
* After Optimus signs off from Hound's transmission, his head does a strange little back-and-forth bob. As the view pans out from him, we see Bluestreak, whose headcrest is gray instead of red.
* As the Autobots roll out, they kind of slide sideways across the floor of Autobot Headquarters.
[[Image:SOSDinobots Soundwave shoots Gears.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** Wheeljack is shown in the lineup of Autobots leaving HQ; yet a moment later, it's shown that he stayed behind to continue working on stuff.
* "Endless energy, Starscream!" Megatron is missing his waist details.
* As Prime rolls toward the falls, his smokestacks are red.
° When Optimus tells the Autobots to fight, his line is clipped off and he says
Autobots, fight ba-
* When Gears flies up to Soundwave, his truck roof (on his back) is red instead of blue.
* Just before Gears tumbles into him, Bluestreak is standing there waving a fist in the air. It looks like he was supposed to be shooting, but the laser fire wasn't animated.
* Bluestreak is knocked over by Gears, and but is standing and firing in the next shot.
* "Nice shootin'!" Rumble's eyeband is gray instead of red.

[[Image:SOSDinobots-Miscolors.jpg|thumb|center|600px|[[Nelson Yomtov|Yomtov]]-licious!]]
* As Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe the Autobots, ''every single Autobot is miscolored'', including Sideswipe painted as Sunstreaker, Bluestreak as Trailbreaker, Brawn as Hound, Optimus Prime as Sideswipe, Hound as Ironhide, Trailbreaker as Gears, and Mirage as Bluestreak.
* Rumble's pile driver tips are the same blue-purple as the rest of him when he lands, but are red in a close-up shot a second later.
* Sunstreaker's hands are yellow in the shot of him, Jazz, etc. reacting to Rumble's earthquake.
* Megatron is shown laughing, but there's no vocalization to go with it.
* Optimus's chest is the same blue as his head as he struggles in the water. As the Autobots move past camera, he morphs into his usual red.
* Megatron's missing his insignia as he and Starscream look down from the cliff.
* "We shall retrieve their short-circuited carcasses..." Megatron's lip-flap doesn't keep pace with his speech.
* Ratchet's head crest is white instead of gray as he works on Teletraan-1.
* "I've been working on a little research project." Once again, only the front of Wheeljack's ears flash.
[[Image:SOSDinobots_bluePrime.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Not Powered Convoy. And don't even think about [[redeco|it]], [[e-Hobby]]!]]
* While the Autobots are trapped in Energon Chains, Optimus is colored entirely blue and Trailbreaker is a light grey rather than black. And again, Megatron suffers a severe lip-flap malfunction. The energon chains to bounce and move like a single solid object; this is apparently supposed to show the Autobots struggling against their bonds, but it doesn't really work very well.
* Yet another vocal malfunction for Megatron after Wheeljack shoots him; he makes a falling-over "Whauurrrrrr!" sound long after he's already fallen over.
* Starscream's entire cockpit cowling is yellow after the transforms, rather than just the canopy.
* Rumble's shin is all-yellow as he and the rest of the Decepticon group take off.
* When Skywarp drops bombs on Grimlock, Grimlock's an overly-dark shade of gray.
* Rumble's colors are reversed as Sludge's crevasse knocks him over.
* After they transform to retreat, all three Seekers have entirely gold nosecones. A pan across the three jets shows Starscream, Thundercracker, and a second Starscream in place of Skywarp.
* Sludge's face is black after he returns to robot mode.
* "And whatever punishment you have in mind..." Bumblebee is missing his insignia, has yellow "cheeks" instead of white, and appears to have borrowed [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]'s rectangular chest.
* The closing scene features Optimus announcing that the Dinobots... will stay! And everyone is happy, and everybody cheers! Everybody except the background music, which is a tense, frantic piece normally reserved for cliffhanging crises and catastrophes.

===Continuity errors===
* Though the holographic dinosaurs illustrated in the episodes matched some of the concepts of the early ‘80s, their depiction is outdated by today's standards. The dinosaurs in the show are the sluggish, tail-dragging cold-blooded variety not in keeping with more modern theories of warm-blooded, bird-like animals.

* When the holographic dinosaurs are shown, a brontosaurus is seen living alongside a ''Triceratops'' and a ''Tyrannosaurus''. In reality, the brontosaurus (well, ''Apatosaurus''...oh, you know what we mean) lived in the Jurassic Period, while the ''Triceratops'' and the ''Tyrannosaurus'' lived during the Cretacious Period. So basically, they were separated by millions of years, [[Wikipedia:Fantasia (film)|but apparently]], [[Wikipedia:The Flintstones|in a cartoon,]] [[Wikipedia:The Land Before Time|that doesn't matter]].

* The data gathered by Reflector and Soundwave leads Megatron to conclude with relish that the Great Falls contain enough energy to vanquish the Autobots and control the universe...but that's really nothing new. The Decepticons have targeted hydroelectric power sources before.

*What is it about falling into the river that is so devastating to the Autobots? We've seen that Autobots can deal with being in the water (Hound in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]", various Autobots in "[[The Ultimate Doom]]", Springer, Kup, and Arcee in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', etc.). It's possible that the fall itself damaged them, but the Autobots are clearly shown struggling around in the water. Then again, Optimus Prime needed Jazz's help to escape the rushing river in "More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2".

* It's possible the editorial pace of the show plays with time and space, but taken at face value, the Autobots build three Dinobots in the span of time it takes the Decepticons to decide to attack the Great Falls.

===Rhino DVD release===
[[Image:dvd broadcast.jpg|right|thumb|Pretty colors are more important than things making sense!]]

* The chapter stops for this episode on the Rhino DVD are: Opening / Old Bones / "Dinobots Must Die" / Fusion Power / Permanent Dysfunction / Dinobots Will Stay.

* Though all G1 episodes released on DVD by Rhino were altered in some way, both with additional sound effects and unintentional changes induced by not using the finalized broadcast masters, this one is particularly screwed up:
** The Rhino version uses a faulty take for the shot where the Dinobots demonstrate their power by clearing rubble. In the DVD, the blasts from the Dinobots' mouths are missing, and the rubble does not vanish. The broadcast version, though, has both effects, which were reinstated on the Shout! Factory release. (See illustration).
** As the Autobots walk around the unnamed museum, they pass a pair of street punks looking at a display. While divided into grey and blue parts in the broadcast version, the display was [[:Image:SOSDinobotsPunksDisplay.jpg|rendered entirely blue]] in the Kid Rhino version of the episode, making it look a bit like a computer terminal. This random color change was ''not'' undone in the Shout! Factory version.
** When Hound contacts Autobot Headquarters with a recon report, the glowing light on his chest and forehead are blue in the broadcast version, but red in the DVD version. This was changed back in the Shout! Factory release.
** …When Spike says the line "Is it much farther, Hound" the broadcast version has his mouth move with his speech but the Rhino version has his mouth stop at the word "much" with his mouth hanging open in the rest of the sentence and this error is uncorrected in Shout! Factory's version.
** When the Autobots arrive at the Great Falls and they transform from vehicle mode to robot mode, the shot of Bluestreak is reversed, and he is shown transforming from robot to car. The broadcast version used the correct take, as does the Shout! Factory release.
** Not so much a goof, but the Rhino DVD version of this episode has a rainbow visible at the Great Falls when Megatron lands. This is not in the broadcast version and was removed when Shout Factory corrected the scene.

===Continuity notes===
* After being almost totally ignored (or completely absent) for the first seven episodes, Windcharger finally gets his first speaking line.
* Wheeljack is shown working on the memory upgrades for the Dinobots before they're even built!
* Flying Autobots:
** Gears takes to the air to attack the Decepticons at the power plant, and Wheeljack flies alongside the Dinobots. These abilities are never explained within the cartoon itself. However, according to the [[Tech Specs]], these two (along with Sideswipe) are the original Autobots who are SUPPOSED to be flight-capable; Gears is equipped with compressed air boosters and Wheeljack has solid-fuel rockets in his arms. Gears would never be shown to use his flight capabilities again; Wheeljack, however, will fly again in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]" and actually use his arm-rockets in "[[The Core]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]".
**The Dinobots are also shown to be able to fly in robot mode under their own power; they will consistently retain this ability all the way through Season 2 and the Movie.
* "We do... as told... for now." Grimlock's first lines already foretell the trouble that the Autobots will have keeping the Dinobots in line.
* The Dinobots are shown to be incredibly tough and resistant to damage. Nothing the Decepticons do leaves so much as a scratch or scorch mark, not even shots from gun-mode Megatron. This too is consistent through Season 2 and the Movie.
** Slag's triceratops frill can reflect Optimus Prime's laser rifle blast back at him.
[[Image:Sosdinos sonadar sensors.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:SOSDinobots Trailbreaker in force field.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:SOSDinobot Hound radios in.jpg|thumb|right|200px|As noted above, Hound's glowy bits were bright blue in the original broadcast version.]]
* Powers and gadgets:
** Ironhide is equipped with a [[sonodar]] sensor array that extends from his forearm, capable of penetrating solid rock. The findings of the sensor are displayed in the windshield in his chest.
** Sideswipe is equipped with piston arms, that allow him to punch through stone walls. Here, they are simply heavy protrusions that he slams into the rock to break it up, but when they show up again in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]" they actually operate like pneumatic jackhammers. His pistons are also misinterpreted as a ''hand-held'' jackhammer in "[[Fire on the Mountain]]".
** Trailbreaker's force field is rendered as a glowing yellow sphere that comes from the space between his upraised hands. (Well, hand, since the other one is a gun.)
** Wheeljack fires a "magnetic inducer" from his shoulder cannon to stop the rampaging Dinobots, and later nails Megatron with a "[[gyro-inhibitor shell]]", launched from same. Both these are weapons Wheeljack's tech spec says he has and fires from his shoulder cannons.
** Hound uses a cheekguard-mounted communicator to contact Autobot Headquarters, along with a button on his stomach that lights up parts of his helmet while he's transmitting.
** Optimus has a similar cheekguard communicator, along with little antennae which slide out of the larger antennae on his head.
** Thundercracker attempts to torch the Dinobots with a flamethrower, which shows up again in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]". This weapon is probably based on his tech spec's mention of incendiary guns.
** Skywarp still packs heat-seeking missiles, per his tech spec bio.
** Starscream drops small bomb-missiles on the Dinobots. These may or may not be the from the launchers concealed in his air ducts, which are used in "[[Fire on the Mountain]]".
[[Image:Sosdinos rumble broken piledrivers.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
*Megatron actually refers to his [[fusion cannon]] by that name.

* Laserbeak does not appear but is mentioned in this episode, as Megatron credits him for gathering intelligence at the Great Falls.

* Per his tech spec bio, Sludge proves adept in the water. He also uses his seismic stomp to retaliate against Rumble's earthquake power.

* Rumble getting hit by Sludge's quake while using his piledrivers causes them to break off.

* '''[[Transport to Oblivion|< <]]''' What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron's lost his equilibrium! '''[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
* Dinosaurs, obviously. And a natural history museum, and a lame joke about "heavy metal" in reference to Hound.
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** Death Star turbolasers are used as the sound of Bluestreak firing at Rumble.
** Luke repelling Seeker bolts with his lightsaber is used as the sound of the Decepticons lifting off under Starscream's command.
** Clashing lightsabers are used as the sound of Slag's horns powering up.
** More lightsabers as the Dinobots fire on Megatron and Starscream.

===Japanese version===
Original airdate: [[August 17]], [[1985]]
*In the Japanese version of this episode, the Dinobots' roars were replaced with classic kaiju roars (mostly an altered version of Baragon's roar).

*'''Cut:''' Following Spike's line, "There goes an Autobot with guts" and Ratchet charging, the close-up of Spike's head and Ratchet repairing Teletraan-1 have been cut. The sequence resumes at Sludge firing his laser eyes.

*'''Cut:''' After Prime yells "Roll out!" and transforms, the following footage of the Autobots driving out of the Ark behind him, the pan across the base interior and the footage of Wheeljack working on the Dinobot brain upgrades have all been cut.

===Trivia===
[[Image:SOSDinobots_Great_Falls.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The rules of Decepticon fashion dictate that no two members of a flying group can use the same arm pose.]]
* This episode shares the slightly stylized artistic style of "Roll for It". Note the strange poses that the Decepticons strike while flying, Optimus's unusually rounded head, Bumblebee's somewhat flattened head, and the little bits of shading seen on characters's faces in closeup.
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' console game.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 3: "S.O.S. Dinobots" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1997 — ''The Transformers'' — War of the Dinobots ([[Malofilm]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Generation 2'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Three (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Two (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/sos_dinobots.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]