Tracks (G1)

2010-12-01T21:25:35Z

71.171.17.88:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambigr|Tracks|the ''Animated''-series Autobot|Tracks (Animated)}}

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

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|

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

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

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Le Sillage''' ("The Trail")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
:''Italian name'': '''Puma'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Rasto''' ("Track")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Trilho''' ("Track")

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

[[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)|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)|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)|Constructicon]]]s 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 (G1)|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)|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 (G1)|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)|Insecticon]]s 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]] 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 (G1)|Bumblebee]], Tracks opined that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|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 (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}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?"<br> "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 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|I admire your enthusiasm, Sunstreaker but I'm just not enjoying the roleplay as much as you are.]]
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 [[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 [[Professor 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 (G1)|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}}
{{-}}

====''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]]), 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.

====''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' 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)|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)|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 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)|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 (issue)|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]] 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 Empire. When Megatron agreed to join forces with 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]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl and his 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}} 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|Triple Changers]]. 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}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[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}}

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

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
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}}

===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]] 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}}

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}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 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}} 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}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 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}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 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 [[Campologno]] 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}}

==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, 1991, 2002/2003)
**''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 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 Milton Bradley 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>

: He was rereleased in Europe in 1990 as part of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line.

: 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.

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

{{-}}{{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]''

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[[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 (!).

::*''[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]''

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===Alternators===
[[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

: 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 [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|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 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 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]], a [[retool]] of Tracks.

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

::*''[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]''
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===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 clip-on weapons, one of which can be handheld. He can also assume the flying car mode as on the original toy by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the other two of his clip-on weapons from under the doors to a flipout panel on the rear. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rub Sign]].

:Turbo Tracks was retooled into ''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]].

{{-}}

===United===
*'''Autobot Tracks'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

:''[[United (toyline)|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. 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.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==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)|Technobot]]s.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*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 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 had 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 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 [[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 [[Prototype|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 or, to be more precise, "lies."

* 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==
{{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:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers 2010 toyline characters]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United]]

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Tracks (G1)