MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Tracks (G1)

2008-01-29T06:28:19Z

70.59.197.234:

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

[[Image:tracksg1.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hi, I'm fabulous. And I'm TOTALLY not gay. Seriously.]]

'''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. With his long and powerful 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.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Le Sillage'''<br>
:''Hungarian name'': '''Vagány''' (meaning "Tough guy" or something like that)<br>
:''Italian name'': '''Puma'''

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

===Generation 1===
{{noteukonly}}

(Re?)constructed on Earth by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted, Tracks had his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He only became involved in several missions before [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] assumed control of the Autobots and took the ''Ark'' back out into space and away from Earth. Tracks was later destroyed battling the combined Decepticon armies in the [[Underbase Saga]]. Either that, or Starscream killed him. {{Storylink|Dark Star!}}

''Wheeljack tried to revive Tracks, but Grimlock secretly continued to sabotage the process because he considered the vain Autobot worthless as a warrior. Grimlock not only failed to keep Tracks off-line, he also had to deal with Optimus Prime assigning the revived soldier to Earthforce duty.'' {{Storylink|Makin' Tracks!}}

===Generation 2===

Tracks was operating out of Autobase on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the Cybertronian Empire. When Megatron agreed to join forces with Prime, Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon Rotor Force members [[Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides.

===Animated continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Shō Hayami]] (Japanese)

Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[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]]. {{Storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Tracks and [[Blaster]] assisted the [[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 Corvette Stingray. Together, they foiled a Decepticon plot to use the local criminal element to steal cars so that Megatron could build an army of remote-controlled, transforming car drones. {{Storylink|Make Tracks}}

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

Whilst out on a supply run with [[Bumblebee (G1)|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]] on the disappearance of a [[Oktober Guard One|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[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}}

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.

Entering the club, some girls asked the Autobots to dance. When Tracks declined, 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 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|right|thumb|150px|Radio killed the video star.]]

Returning to the club, Tracks threatened his way past the bouncer and 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 help free 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. Not surprisingly, the Decepticon did not take this kindly and attacked. 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}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon]]s 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]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{Storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

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}}

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 [[Professor Terranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappears]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{Storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

===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 served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]]. Afterwards, he seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]].

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 2002/2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
[[Image:G1Tracks_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[wikipedia:Chevrolet Corvette C3|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a 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 European version of Tracks by Milton Bradley was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme. This toy is featured on the box art on the back of 1985 toys. Due to poor sales, Hasbro decided to re-release Tracks in Europe{{fact}}, this time in his blue color scheme. Because of this, the red MB version ended up being rather rare. <ref>[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: Tracks was reissued by [[Takara]] in 2002 as part of their "book-box" [[Transformers Collection]] series. The following year, [[Hasbro]] re-released him as part of the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] V.

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage]], an [[e-Hobby]] exclusive based on the red European version.

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

: This version of Tracks was 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 partner named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue.

===Alternators===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
:''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
[[Image:BTTracks_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[Takara]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' line, with a yellow paint job, but was later released in blue to match [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Alternators]]'' release. Tracks transforms into a [[wikipedia:Chevrolet Corvette C5|Corvette Z06]] featuring open doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his G1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a 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.

: 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)|Swerve]].

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

===Merchandise===

==Trivia==
*It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is a homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. Therefore he is a metrosexual.

* 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 manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw".

*Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcements]], 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 parts of Europe, Tracks was released in the Diaclone toy's red deco through Milton Bradley in 1985. Due to being a royal shelfwarmer, the toy was re-released in its proper Transformers colors through Hasbro a year later. It is possible Hasbro has originally planned for Tracks to be released in Diaclone colors, as Tracks is red complete with the Diaclone hood stickers ("CS" instead of the Autobot sigil) on the 1985 back-of-the-box mural.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=34 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - USA]</ref> Interestingly, the 1985 box-mural from Japan shows not only the red Tracks in the center, but another Tracks, this one in his Hasbro blue deco, in the upper right area.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=35 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - Japan]</ref> Perhaps this indicates that there were plans to create more than one ''Transformers'' character from the Stingray mold, as had been done with many of the other Diaclone molds, that were unrealized.

* In recent years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional "Autobot" prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''".

* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[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.

* Hasbro initially intended to release their ''Alternators'' toy in yellow, with a blue running change variant coming later down the line. However, problems with the darker interior parts being visible though the yellow plastic encountered at the test shot stage prompted Hasbro to cancel the yellow version and instead release the toy in blue right away. Thus, the only yellow version of the mold is Takara's ''Binaltech'' release. Supposedly, yellow Hasbro Tracks never made it beyond the paint sample stage (a few pieces were leaked to the public), although there have been rumors that the yellow version was actually shipped out to stores and later recalled. Conveniently, anyone who claimed to have seen the packaged toy in person was unable to take a photo as evidence. Thus, this rumor is considered to have similar credibility to the infamous "blue G1 [[Bluestreak]] in Hasbro packaging" myth.

* 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.

==References==
<references />

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

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

Talk:Tracks (G1)

2008-01-27T21:06:57Z

70.59.197.234:

What's the source of this Tracks quote? --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 20:21, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
:Heck if I know. A google search brought up nothing, so I've removed it until we can source it. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 20:29, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
::[http://www.allspark.com/interviews/michael-mcconnohie-audio-interview-20050211.html Heh.] -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 20:37, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

Direct to eBay exclusive?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

:::::::As a gay Transformers fan, I have to say the whole intro/bio thing bothers me. It was funny for the first line or so, and then it became like an episode of "Are You Being Served" - tired, unnecessary, distracting from the actual information, and makes me want to stab you in the eye with Convoy's smokestacks. You managed to fill several paragraphs with gay innuendo loosely anchored by actual facts about the character - congratulations. Now how about writing it properly? It is a) unwarranted, since Tracks has already been established as 'not gay', and even if he was, b) it invokes unfair stereotypes, such as predatory sexual behaviour. So you're perpetuating two myths; one about Tracks and one about gays. Why not keep that whole blue Bluestreak figure myth thing going while you're at it? I don't see you putting lines into every "straight", "male" Transformer's bio about wanting to "something" their "something" with Arcee. Bottom line: grow up; if you want to be taken seriously as a Transformers resource, act like it.[[User:59.167.133.165|59.167.133.165]] 16:57, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

==Gay jokes==

I don't have a problem with allusions to Tracks' fan-constructed homosexuality, but I think that the number of references in the bio has reached and surpassed the saturation point. Also, the fact that this Transformers Wiki is so easily found in a google search recommends that any gay jokes be kept to a tasteful minimum. We have to remember that Transformers is a toy line aimed primarily at children, and as such, the potential audience must be considered. As it stands, there are 14 references and double entendres in the 4 paragraphs that make up the largest part of the bio. This is a serious issue. (Kizudarake on the Allspark)

:I'm not sure how any kid who doesn't or shouldn't know what this stuff means would even realize it's innuendo in the first place. Innuendo only works if you're already in on the joke. What five-year-old who doesn't understand that "shaft" is a euphemism for "penis" is going to stumble across this page and realize, "Oh, hey, this article is about gay sex!" This is not a serious issue. Certainly not on a wiki with [[Kiss Players]] of all things included. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 06:25, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
::But the "Mommy, what's this word mean?" effect can cause some serious problems, and complaints.(Kizudarake from The Allspark)
:::I'll say. Like why isn't the kid's online activity being monitored more closely? At any rate, the proper way to go about this, after having your changes reverted like 30 times, and being told 30 times to cut it out, is clearly not to do it again just now as we're having this discussion. How many times do you have to be told? Take a vacation! --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 06:41, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
:::Agreed. It's not the Wiki's job to account for lazy parenting. [[User:Awa64|Awa64]] 06:43, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
:I'm really not understanding your comment that "this is a serious issue". The innuendo will go over the head of anybody that doesn't already know that gay people exist. If a parent gets upset that their child read something that acknowledges the existence of gay people, then that's too bad. It's to the kid's benefit and the parent is a moron. If you are worried about the effect these jokes will have, you are welcome to disavow your involvement with this Wiki, which is easy because, you know, you ''have'' no involvement at all with this Wiki anyway except for having a weird issue with one particular article. The article's not going to change and it's not your problem. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 18:50, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
::I think what it comes down to is how the TF Wiki wants to be taken. If it wants to be taken seriously, the Tracks article needs to be re-written to a more "professional" standard. However as is the Wiki is largely humorous, and as such the Tracks article is mostly fine, although some of the jokes are stupid. The downside is that it somewhat compromises the integrity of the Wiki. --Debbie Downer
:::AFAIK, we do have a syste of review for such jokes- and the standard we use is- 'if the jokes get in the way of delivering the information, they have to go.' But hand-in-hand with that we have 'please don't make this joyless.' Have you seen [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie's]] entry? That is ''beautiful''. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 08:45, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
:::: "Professional"? You mean like Wikipedia? Absurdly solemn, extraordinarily opinionated despite a facade of gormless neutrality, unreliable on anything remotely political, and totally boring? We definitely want to keep our distance from that. Part of our mission here is to poke holes in the more inflatable fans, and the humor is quite useful for that, and the other part is to be the Hitchhiker's Guide To Transformers. We don't want to be the Encyclopedia Galactica. (N.B. I mean no disrespect to the great idea behind Wikipedia, but too many of their editors are only interested in grinding their personal axes. It's great for a lot of stuff, but unfortunately fails utterly at anything in the field of sociology, or as I said, anything political. But their 'neutrality' has very little to do with the accuracy or lack thereof of each article. Give me humor with accuracy over solemn half-truths any day.) --[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 13:29, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
::::: And our info goes into more detail, anyway, compared to the regular TF wikipedia. I mean we talk about toys. TOYS! Alot of people act as though toys hardly matter in Transformers. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 13:50, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
:::Re: joyless, I suggest you examine who is actually getting the joy; whether you are just entertaining yourself, or the visitors themselves are actually being delighted and amused by it, because I think you might be giggling your rear-end assembly off in a room full of crickets chirping. If the former, I recommend you find better ways of getting your various jollies. BTW, "taken seriously" in terms of readers believing the stuff posted here, not "Mr Boring". You can be be an authorative source without being dull and uninteresting. But with crap like this, why would we believe anything posted in this wiki? You're obviously just putting up whatever junk you feel like. The opposite of "absurdly solemn" doesn't need to be "pointlessly juvenile". You've already accomplished integration of some clever writing style in many articles, as well as funny captions to pictures. Then there's this. Be clever, don't be a joke. It's a real turnoff.[[User:59.167.133.165|59.167.133.165]] 17:10, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
::::Totally entertaining myself, of course. A would-be joker must be prepared to be the only one to laugh, sometimes. True enough that there are other alternatives to absurd solemnity, but I don't think the TF-Wiki approach is pointlessly juvenile. I prefer to think of it as slyly sophomoric. Besides, even Shakespeare had his share of cheap jokes and lowbrow humor. And besides besides that, I really think that we all respect viewpoints more if we know who is expressing them, regretable as this feeling may be in its lack of objectivity. (Besides x3 that, this particular article seems to amuse one or two people, which I can't really understand, since it's a straightforward presentation of his tech spec bio. Oh well.) --[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 17:51, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
::::::Political correctness sucks. Thanks alot, America. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 23:13, 29 January 2007 (UTC)
:::::::Political correctness nothing. How about even-handed accuracy? G1 Ironhide's clearly Southern. Why isn't he characterised as out there drinking from a jug with XXXX on it, and beating up on Chromia? If Tracks had been established as gay, I would not have a problem with a couple of jokes or references, since there are jokes and references about just about all the characters. But a) once again, he's not, and we know that{{fact}}, but it seems that you're prepared to perpetuate a myth (and, frankly, look stupid, like you didn't actually know that he wasn't) for the purposes of a cheap laugh, and b) if he was, is that all you can come up with to write about him? Several paragraphs about him being gay. Devastator's entire introduction isn't that long. (G1) Optimus Prime's introduction isn't that long. Ultimately the reason this article is such a problem is that it is uncharacteristic of the site. it doesn't fit in because you don't go on and on and on for paragraphs about every character's most obvious characteristic. You've singled out the 'gay' one. Where's the phallus jokes about Perceptor? Where are the racial analogies directed at the Predacons or the Constructicons? They're the same color you know, and they stick together. Literally. Come on, I dare you. I'm totally disappointed, not even a single thing about the location of the G1 Megatron toy's trigger in bot mode. And BTW, I did say that I found it funny for the first line or so, but after that it was just completely pointless and unnecessary. We get it, you think he's gay, geez, move on with your life. You know what they say - if you obsess about it, you probably are one. (And that comes from one.) I'm not asking for special treatment here, just that you give Tracks the same rights, consideration and respect you would give any other character - however little that may be. (You're not the only one who can play the analogy). Okay, great, now you made me go on and on....[[User:59.167.133.165|59.167.133.165]] 17:21, 30 January 2007 (UTC)
::::::::Oy gewahlt, 59.167.133.165 (Too long, imma call you Leader-1). First of all, Leader-1, nobody wrote paragraphs about Tracks being gay. Tracks is, in fact, not gay. He is a robot, with no evidence of sexuality at all, and a fairly antisocial robot at that. However, as I said way up there, his personality as given in the Universe profile, coupled with his cartoon voice, and a bunch of amusing coincidences, have led to harmless little jokes like this. Nobody actually thinks he's homosexual. This article tries to emulate the Tracks we know by being a straightforward recitation of his bio notes, with a bunch of unfortunate and, dare we say, mildly amusing double-entendres. You, Leader-1, do admit you found it funny for the first line. Well, some of us don't just want a short, sly joke, and that seems to include most people who read this. Now, as for fairness, I don't think anybody escapes the Deadly Snarkage around here. I suggest clicking "Random Page" a bunch of times and reading some more of the bios. All right, Leader-1? Can we all be friends, and can we less-dignified groundlings continue to have our fun?--[[User:Autobus Prime|Autobus Prime]] 17:33, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

:::::::: I'm sorry 59.167.133.165, I must be missing something... you say Tracks isn't gay and we know that... how?
:::::::: Was there some Japanese re-release that listed his function as muffler-diver? Did he have a girlfriend? (Not that that's necessarily a disquaifier, as the West Coast Avengers' Living Lightning prooves...)
:::::::: Or are you one of those gaycists who insists that any character without a sexuality established to the contrary is straight?
:::::::: I am not necessarily arguing that Tracks ''is'' gay, but the tone of your arguments is really bothering me. You begin with the slurs against southerners that '''don't''' match Ironhide's exhibited behavior, and then object to the jokes that '''are''' based on Tracks exhibited behavior. So provide a source. What are you basing your Tracks-is-straight statements on? -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 19:07, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

:::::::::Hmm, yeah, just what I expected outta you. I think I was right the first time about the word "juvenile". You actually don't see how anyone could have an issue with the sheer volume in this article, do you? That's just the kind of person who should work as an editor.[[User:59.167.133.165|59.167.133.165]] 17:43, 30 January 2007 (UTC)
::::::::::''just what I expected outta you?'' That's pretty fucking rude 59.167.133.165, coming from an anonymous poster. So was it 'what you expected' to be asked to cite some sources and form an actual counter-argument beyond 'I don't like it'? And what do you mean 'should work as an editor'? This is a ''wiki''. We're ''all'' editors jackass. I'm a lowest-rank registered user (And one that spends much of his time baiting the admins to boot.) You seem to believe that when a bunch of people disagree with you it's because they're a cabal of close-knit friends acting as a group to quash all other opinions.
::::::::::Stop to consider, just for a moment, that it's possible that the ''reason'' large numbers of people are disagreeing with you is because... they actually ''do'' disagree with you.
::::::::::You want the article changed? '''So change it'''. It's a stub! The entire fiction section is 3 sentences! Rewrite the entire article whole-cloth as a nice, serious '''comprehensive''' history of the character! We mess with stubs because it's fun and inconsequential-- they're just stubs after all! We don't play around with comprehensive model-articles, because it reduces their level of uninformativeness.
::::::::::Or maybe you just don't '''want''' to document Tracks' major appearances because they involve him hanging aroung with a guy who, a dance club and being the victim of a hate-crime by Grimlock in his full-on incorrigible football-hooligan mode. (Which probably ''was'' a black-humored gay joke-- Furman once made a reference to Carmen Curlers's after all, he's not clueless.) Which is it, and have you stopped beating your wife?
:::::::::: Maybe the reason ''I'm'' stubbornly disagreeing with you (beyond my normal contrariness) is because you're demanding that others alter the article to meet your way of thinking instead of altering and improving it ''yourself'' to better serve ''everyone's'' purpose. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 23:02, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

:::::::As a gay knee-jerk liberal (and overeducated jampot) I would like to volunteer that I find the Tracks article funny.
:::::::And frankly, I'm offended by 59.167.133.165's attempts to remove all references to homosexuality from the wiki. Clearly he is a gay-racist and a deaf discriminator. I will sue him. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 00:14, 30 January 2007 (UTC)

::::::::The one valid point Leader-1 might have here is that the predatory stuff was a bit much. Of course, it was also rather funny, but after some thought I cooked up a substitute that isn't too bland. Of course if we don't let any group get offended we are going to have to take out pretty much [[Outback|half this Wiki]], blandify everything else, and delete every reference to [[Kiss Players]]. :) To Leader-1 the bold IP address, I would like to say that I am rather more amused than offended, especially by your implication that Southerners are all drunks who beat their wives.

:::::::::Derik: I hardly think it is reasonable to get pissed at Mr. IP Address for not attempting to edit the article himself, as he probably assumed -- quite correctly -- that any edit that removed the gay jokes would be instantly reverted. I'd say attempting to discuss the matter first on the talk page was actually the correct course of action.

:::::::::Anyway, Autobus Prime took out the line about Tracks "striking forcefully from behind" when he his enemies are "unaware," and then Dark T Zeratul put it back in. I'm going to take it back out again, and hope it stays out, as after all the joke is supposed to be that Tracks is gay, not that he's a rapist. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 07:32, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

::::::::::Yes, gay jokes are one thing, rape ones are another altogether. I'm not overly fond of all the gay jokes here (some of them simply because they're not exactly fresh), but even with the innuendo, the actual facts of each sentence are clear. I don't think that this should be a super-dry po-faced encyclopaedia, but I think the most important is that a reader does learn what she or he didn't know about the subject afore. I think this article manages that. --[[User:Ratbat|Ratbat]] 10:26, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

==Red Euro version==
The latest edit [http://transformers.wikia.com/index.php?title=Tracks&curid=1638&diff=30142&oldid=30141] claims that Tracks was released a second time (in blue) in Europe "due to poor sales". Is there any actual evidence for that? It sounds like fan supposition. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 15:09, 22 September 2006 (UTC)
:Sounds like a question suited for Maz more than anyone else.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 08:34, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
::I put in a reference to the relevant article by Maz. - [[User:Ducktimus|Ducktimus]] 04:59, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
:::Blue Euro Tracks: [http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/669/autobotcartracks01bk8.jpg Image 1], [http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1702/autobotcartracks02ae7.jpg image 2], [http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9867/autobotcartracks03rx1.jpg image 3]. Tracks is the only G1 toy other than Optimus Prime who I was able to find evidence for both an "MB" and a "Hasbro" release in Europe. Add to that the fact that blue Tracks is the only Autobot Car in Euro-Hasbro packaging to use 1985 back-of-the-box art rather than the 1986 mural used by the other Euro-Hasbrobots from 1986, it would seem that he was the first one to go into production.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 21:52, 21 September 2007 (UTC)
::::''Adding to the mystery is the fact that Tracks was released in the US with a 1984 back-of-the-box mural, despite being a 1985 release.'' [http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/ToysTracksMIB.html DEBUNKED]--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 21:56, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

I don't know who just added that last line, but it's damn near perfect.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 08:34, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
--[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 20:21, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
==Yes/No==
Foppish yes,gay no.Not exactly butch though,that's for sure. As for the sex issue,why would mechanoids need to have genders,since their Quintesson masters don't show any overtly sexual characteristics either.[[User:ChoHIlqoq|ChoHIlqoq]] 01:41, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

So he's metrosexual. [[User:70.59.197.234|70.59.197.234]] 21:06, 27 January 2008 (UTC)<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>