MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Downshift (Armada)

2023-03-20T15:58:26Z

Kavejavex: Correction.

{{factions|minicon|decepticon}}
{{picsneeded|toys and comics}}
{{disambig3|Downshift}}
:''Downshift is a [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family]].''

[[Image:Armada Downshift cardart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|One of the few Transformers to have a competitive streak as long as [[Drag Strip (G1)|Dragstrip's...]]]]
'''Downshift''' ''used'' to be a real jerk. A speed-demon race champion among the Mini-Cons, there was a time when the fact that he wasn't the absolute #1 would have chapped his lugnuts. He's matured since then, however, and has dedicated himself to fighting for Mini-Con freedom rather than personal glory.

However, some lines of that old bad code still linger in his system. Should the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom shield]] fall into [[Decepticon]] hands and remain there for too long, the corrupting influence can affect all three members of the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] even after they disengage, and the selfish, boastful, uber-competitive Downshift resurfaces. While the effect is only temporary, it's not something anyone on the Team wants to go through.
{{bigquote|Nothing to prove, nothing to lose.|Downshift's [[bio]] quote.}}
==Fiction==
===''Armada'' cartoon===
[[File:Reinforcement DownshiftRaces.jpg|upright=1|thumb|left|Lookit me, I'm a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]!]]
Downshift was a rare occasion among the Mini-Cons on Earth, as he activated himself and scanned a vehicle mode all without imprinting on a [[Bulk]] Transformer first. Whereas most missions were little more than a scavenger hunt by both sides to find an inert panel, Downshift had to be actively chased down by both sides. The Decepticons and the arrogant Autobot officer [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] were willing to shoot the fleeing Mini-Con into submission; only [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] fought to protect Downshift and offer him a ''choice'' to work with the Autobots. Despite Hot Shot's efforts on Downshift's behalf, however, the Mini-Con was snatched from his grasp by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], who teleported back to the Decepticon base on the moon. There, Downshift reunited with [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] and [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]] to form the Skyboom Shield for the first time in untold centuries. {{storylink|Reinforcement}}

[[File:Reinforcement RaceTeamReunited.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
In the next battle, Megatron assembled both the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] and the Race Team into the two most powerful weapons in the universe. Armed with both the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and the Skyboom Shield, he toyed with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] until his overconfidence caused him to lose his grip on the Shield. Prime's Mini-Con partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] then "locked on" to the Skyboom Shield and brought it under Prime's control, thwarting Megatron's killing strike with the Saber and balancing the powers between the two sides. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}}

[[File:Crack RaceTeamHuddle.jpg|upright=1|thumb|left]]
Because the Skyboom Shield was in such demand by the Autobots to protect them from the Star Saber (and later the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]), Downshift and the Race Team appeared quite infrequently as individuals. One day, they went for a walk with the kids to catch some fresh air. Unfortunately, their little stroll happened just as [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] reported that [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] had met with Starscream. Squidhead had asked for the Skyboom Shield Mini-Cons as collateral for letting Starscream back into the Decepticons, so their sudden disappearance from the base didn't look too good for the former Decepticon. The Autobots' distrust for Starscream in part led to his decision to take Thrust up on his offer, and so even after [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] uncovered the kids and the Race Team and cleared his name, Starscream stole the Skyboom Shield for Megatron and returned to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}}

Downshift and the Race Team had little time to act as individuals after that, remaining powerlinxed as the Skyboom Shield while the Decepticons used the shield as one-third of the [[Hydra Cannon]], before it was stolen by Thrust and used to provide power to the heart of Unicron. Mirage, Dirt Boss and Downshift reawakened as individuals with the help of [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] and the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]], who had journeyed to Unicron's core with Optimus Prime, [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] and the Earth children to grant the super-weapon Mini-Cons their freedom. {{storylink|Origin}} Downshift fled Unicron aboard the Autobot [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] just before the Chaos-Bringer was finally destroyed. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
Downshift and the other Race Team members were captured early on in the [[Decepticon]]s' Mini-Con kidnapping spree. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Armada #1}} Alongside many other Mini-Cons, they escaped captivity and made it to [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]], where they lived in peace for some time. Eventually, the Decepticons found them and attacked their [[Mini-Con Moonbase|home]], and Downshift and the others were forced to flee to Earth. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 11|Armada #11}} The Race Team subsequently allied themselves with the Autobots, and traveled to [[Alaska]] to assist the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team|Adventure Team]], who were up against [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. Upon arrival, they found Thrust unconscious, while Cyclonus was stronger and crazier than ever. Downshift and his team failed to harm him, but luckily [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] was around. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}}

Later, the Race Team joined the rest of the Earthbound Mini-Cons in traveling back to Cybertron, which was under attack by [[Unicron]]. They were presumably part of the [[Mini-Con Matrix]] ceremony at the [[Loop]], which caused Unicron some major damage. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|The End}}

===''Cybertron'' toy bios===
Downshift fell through a rip in space-time and landed on the [[Velocitron|Speed Planet]] in another universe. He was found by the criminal [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]], who enslaved the Mini-Con and used his power-boost to terrorize the Speed Planet's equatorial cities. {{storylink|Dirt Boss (Cybertron)#Toys|Wal-Mart exclusive Dirt Boss two-pack toy bio}}

[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] abducted Downshift from the Autobots. Surprisingly, Downshift proved willing to help Thundercracker cause chaos among the Autobot forces on Earth. {{storylink|Thundercracker (Armada)#Cybertron|Wal-Mart exclusive Thundercracker two-pack toy bio}}

Man. Downshifts just can't catch a break.

==Toys==
===''Armada''===
[[Image:Armada-toy_Downshift.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Race Mini-Con Team''' (Basic, 2002)
**''Takara ID number'': '''MM-05'''
**''Takara release date'': [[December 26]] [[2002]]

: ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Downshift transforms into an Audi R10 TDI LeMans-style race car. He also forms the rear portion of the [[Skyboom (Armada)#Toys|Skyboom]] shield with his teammates [[Dirt Boss (Armada)#Toys|Dirt Boss]] and [[Mirage (Armada)#Toys|Mirage]].

: As a Mini-Con, he has a "[[Powerlinx]]" socket on the underside of his vehicle mode that allows him to attach to larger toys with compatible Powerlinx plugs, activating special [[gimmick]]s on the larger toys when attached to a "live" plug.

: In the [[Hasbro]] line, the Street Speed team were released in the third assortment of Mini-Con teams. In Japan, it was part of the massive first wave of ''Legend of the Microns'' product, released in [[Calendar|December]] 2002. Aside from packaging, there are no noteworthy differences between the two releases.

: This mold was also used to make [[Tailslide#Toys|Tailslide]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Mini-Con/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Downshift at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Grap}}
*'''Grap & Lift with Race Micron''' (Multi-pack, 2003)
**''ID number'': '''MS-02'''
**''Release date'': December 26 2002

: The Race Team was available in Japan both as an individual team, and in a multi-pack with [[Smokescreen (Armada)#Toys|Smokescreen]] and [[Liftor#Toys|Liftor]].

: All of the toys in the set are identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|Exdimensions}}
[[Image:2003-racemicron-xdimension-toys.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Race Micron Exdimensions''' (Basic, 2003)
**''ID number'': '''MM-10'''
**''Release date'': December 26 2002

: A limited-edition (but still regular-retail) [[redeco]] of the Race Team was made available in Japan as part of the [[Exdimensions]]. The entire Team was given a deco in varying shades of blue, with "Spin" colored light blue with darker blue and red details.

: This toy also doubles as the separate character [[Spin]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/XSpin/spin.htm More information on Exdimensions Spin at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|ChangeMicron}}
*'''Spin''' (Change Micron, 2003)
**''Release date'': August ?? 2003

: This version of the toy is a "[[candy toy]]" produced by [[Kabaya]] as part of the second ''[[Change Micron]]'' assortment, sold mainly in convenience stores. Though seemingly identical to the normal version of the toy at first glance, not only does this version lack the [[tampograph]]ed "3" deco on his hood, it is actually all new tooling based on the original mold, with minor changes to small details.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/CMSpin/spin.htm More information on Change Micron Spin at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RoadAssault}}
[[File:Armadatoy-RoadAssaultDownshift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Road Assault Mini-Con Team''' (Basic, 2003)

: Released in the sixth wave of ''Armada'' Mini-Con teams, this set is a redeco of the Race Team under a new Team name. For this release, Downshift was colored mostly white with red and black details.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Mini-Con/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Road Assault Downshift at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{anchor|RoadAssaultJapan}}
*'''Spin''' (Promotional Micron, 2003)
**''Release date'': [[August 2]], 2003

: In Japan, individually-bagged members of the Road Assault Team were only available as [[campaign item|promotional giveaways]], a random member of the Team given free with the purchase of ''Armada'' [[Jetfire (Armada)#Toys|Jetfire]] or [[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Toys|Tidal Wave]] at Ito Yokaido stores in August.

{{-}}{{anchor|Booster}}
[[File:Arm-toy Downshift Booster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
*'''Spin''' (Micron Booster, 2003)
**''Booster ID number:'' '''6'''
**''Release date'': [[August 7]], 2003

: Part of the first [[Micron Booster]] set, this version of Downshift is almost totally identical to the retail version, only this uses a slightly-sparkly plastic and paint. Yay.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/MBSpin/spin.htm More information on Micron Booster Spin at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|ArmadaTinyTin}}
*'''Downshift''' (Tiny Tin, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Carrying tin

: In Europe, all three members of the Race Team were made available individually under the original ''Armada'' branding. The toys themselves were unchanged from the original versions, but now each figure included a "[[Tiny Tins|Tiny Tin]]" carrying case.

{{-}}{{anchor|BonusMaxCon}}
*'''Predacon with Side Burn and Skid-Z''' (Max-Con, 2003)
*'''Scavenger with Rollbar''' (Max-Con, 2003)
*'''Thundercracker with Zapmaster''' (Max-Con, 2003)

: The complete Race Team was also included as bonus add-ons with several "Max-Con" class toys; samples of [[Predacon (Armada)#Toys|Predacon]], [[Scavenger (Armada)#Toys|Scavenger]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)#Toys|Thundercracker]] have been found.

: Unfortunately, what retail chain offered these is unknown at this time.

{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
*'''Downshift''' (Tiny Tin, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Carrying tin

: In the United States, the "Tiny Tins" versions of the Race Mini-Con Team members were released in different packaging than their European counterparts, branded as part of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line that didn't exist in Europe. Some [[quality control|errors]] occurred, resulting in European ''Armada''-branded Tiny Tin carrying cases being sold on American ''Universe'' cardbacks.

{{-}}
===''Energon''===
*'''Race Mini-Con Team / Space Mini-Con Team''' (Multi-Pack, 2004)

: An unaltered version of the Road Assault Mini-Con Team (yet named the "Race Team" again) was released as part of an ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''-series "Mini-Con 6-pack" with the [[Space Mini-Con Team#Toys|Space Mini-Con Team]].

: This set was exclusive to both [[Toys"R"Us]] and [[Walmart]] stores.

{{-}}
===''Cybertron''===
*'''Dirt Boss w/ Downshift''' (Bonus pack, 2006)
*'''Thundercracker w/ Downshift''' (Bonus pack, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Carrying tin

: A new redeco of Downshift with a Tiny Tin carrying mini-case was packed in special Wal-Mart exclusive sets. Downshift was packaged with both [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] and [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]]. This time he was colored dark purple with details in white, red and light blue.

: [[Hasbro]] copy writer [[Forest Lee]] confirmed that the ''Cybertron'' Tiny Tins exclusives were originally planned with two different [[Race Mini-Con Team|Race Team]] decos in mind, hence the backstory involving one version of the Team being from an alternate universe and the Tins' decos showing the Mini-Cons in silhouette rather than the normal full-color images. He could not confirm what the then-chosen decos were, however, but it seems likely they would have been [[rebranding|rebranded]] re-releases of the two schemes from ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', given the use of "[[Race Mini-Con Team#RoadAssault|Road Assault Team]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Mini-Con/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Wal-Mart Downshift at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The Race Team are the only one of the three "legendary Mini-Con weapons" teams to be released in all three chapters of the [[Unicron Trilogy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Spin''' (スピン ''Supin'')
*''Korean:'' '''Spin''' (스핀 ''Seupin'')
*''Russian:'' '''Ponizhatel'''' (Понижатель, "Lowerer")

[[Category:Armada combiners]]
[[Category:Armada Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Candy toys]]
[[Category:Cybertron combiners]]
[[Category:Cybertron Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Energon combiners]]
[[Category:Energon Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Japanese promotion exclusives]]
[[Category:Micron Boosters]]
[[Category:Mini-Con combiners]]
[[Category:Tiny Tins]]
[[Category:Universe combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Downshift (Armada)

2023-03-20T15:57:16Z

Kavejavex: Basically it isn’t the R8 it’s the R10, a Le Mans Audi car that really looks like Downshift alt mode.

{{factions|minicon|decepticon}}
{{picsneeded|toys and comics}}
{{disambig3|Downshift}}
:''Downshift is a [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family]].''

[[Image:Armada Downshift cardart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|One of the few Transformers to have a competitive streak as long as [[Drag Strip (G1)|Dragstrip's...]]]]
'''Downshift''' ''used'' to be a real jerk. A speed-demon race champion among the Mini-Cons, there was a time when the fact that he wasn't the absolute #1 would have chapped his lugnuts. He's matured since then, however, and has dedicated himself to fighting for Mini-Con freedom rather than personal glory.

However, some lines of that old bad code still linger in his system. Should the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom shield]] fall into [[Decepticon]] hands and remain there for too long, the corrupting influence can affect all three members of the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] even after they disengage, and the selfish, boastful, uber-competitive Downshift resurfaces. While the effect is only temporary, it's not something anyone on the Team wants to go through.
{{bigquote|Nothing to prove, nothing to lose.|Downshift's [[bio]] quote.}}
==Fiction==
===''Armada'' cartoon===
[[File:Reinforcement DownshiftRaces.jpg|upright=1|thumb|left|Lookit me, I'm a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]!]]
Downshift was a rare occasion among the Mini-Cons on Earth, as he activated himself and scanned a vehicle mode all without imprinting on a [[Bulk]] Transformer first. Whereas most missions were little more than a scavenger hunt by both sides to find an inert panel, Downshift had to be actively chased down by both sides. The Decepticons and the arrogant Autobot officer [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] were willing to shoot the fleeing Mini-Con into submission; only [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] fought to protect Downshift and offer him a ''choice'' to work with the Autobots. Despite Hot Shot's efforts on Downshift's behalf, however, the Mini-Con was snatched from his grasp by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], who teleported back to the Decepticon base on the moon. There, Downshift reunited with [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] and [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]] to form the Skyboom Shield for the first time in untold centuries. {{storylink|Reinforcement}}

[[File:Reinforcement RaceTeamReunited.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
In the next battle, Megatron assembled both the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] and the Race Team into the two most powerful weapons in the universe. Armed with both the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and the Skyboom Shield, he toyed with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] until his overconfidence caused him to lose his grip on the Shield. Prime's Mini-Con partner [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] then "locked on" to the Skyboom Shield and brought it under Prime's control, thwarting Megatron's killing strike with the Saber and balancing the powers between the two sides. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}}

[[File:Crack RaceTeamHuddle.jpg|upright=1|thumb|left]]
Because the Skyboom Shield was in such demand by the Autobots to protect them from the Star Saber (and later the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]), Downshift and the Race Team appeared quite infrequently as individuals. One day, they went for a walk with the kids to catch some fresh air. Unfortunately, their little stroll happened just as [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] reported that [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] had met with Starscream. Squidhead had asked for the Skyboom Shield Mini-Cons as collateral for letting Starscream back into the Decepticons, so their sudden disappearance from the base didn't look too good for the former Decepticon. The Autobots' distrust for Starscream in part led to his decision to take Thrust up on his offer, and so even after [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] uncovered the kids and the Race Team and cleared his name, Starscream stole the Skyboom Shield for Megatron and returned to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}}

Downshift and the Race Team had little time to act as individuals after that, remaining powerlinxed as the Skyboom Shield while the Decepticons used the shield as one-third of the [[Hydra Cannon]], before it was stolen by Thrust and used to provide power to the heart of Unicron. Mirage, Dirt Boss and Downshift reawakened as individuals with the help of [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] and the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]], who had journeyed to Unicron's core with Optimus Prime, [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] and the Earth children to grant the super-weapon Mini-Cons their freedom. {{storylink|Origin}} Downshift fled Unicron aboard the Autobot [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] just before the Chaos-Bringer was finally destroyed. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
Downshift and the other Race Team members were captured early on in the [[Decepticon]]s' Mini-Con kidnapping spree. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Armada #1}} Alongside many other Mini-Cons, they escaped captivity and made it to [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]], where they lived in peace for some time. Eventually, the Decepticons found them and attacked their [[Mini-Con Moonbase|home]], and Downshift and the others were forced to flee to Earth. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 11|Armada #11}} The Race Team subsequently allied themselves with the Autobots, and traveled to [[Alaska]] to assist the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team|Adventure Team]], who were up against [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. Upon arrival, they found Thrust unconscious, while Cyclonus was stronger and crazier than ever. Downshift and his team failed to harm him, but luckily [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] was around. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}}

Later, the Race Team joined the rest of the Earthbound Mini-Cons in traveling back to Cybertron, which was under attack by [[Unicron]]. They were presumably part of the [[Mini-Con Matrix]] ceremony at the [[Loop]], which caused Unicron some major damage. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|The End}}

===''Cybertron'' toy bios===
Downshift fell through a rip in space-time and landed on the [[Velocitron|Speed Planet]] in another universe. He was found by the criminal [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]], who enslaved the Mini-Con and used his power-boost to terrorize the Speed Planet's equatorial cities. {{storylink|Dirt Boss (Cybertron)#Toys|Wal-Mart exclusive Dirt Boss two-pack toy bio}}

[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] abducted Downshift from the Autobots. Surprisingly, Downshift proved willing to help Thundercracker cause chaos among the Autobot forces on Earth. {{storylink|Thundercracker (Armada)#Cybertron|Wal-Mart exclusive Thundercracker two-pack toy bio}}

Man. Downshifts just can't catch a break.

==Toys==
===''Armada''===
[[Image:Armada-toy_Downshift.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Race Mini-Con Team''' (Basic, 2002)
**''Takara ID number'': '''MM-05'''
**''Takara release date'': [[December 26]] [[2002]]

: ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' Downshift transforms into an Audi R10
TDI LeMans-style race car. He also forms the rear portion of the [[Skyboom (Armada)#Toys|Skyboom]] shield with his teammates [[Dirt Boss (Armada)#Toys|Dirt Boss]] and [[Mirage (Armada)#Toys|Mirage]].

: As a Mini-Con, he has a "[[Powerlinx]]" socket on the underside of his vehicle mode that allows him to attach to larger toys with compatible Powerlinx plugs, activating special [[gimmick]]s on the larger toys when attached to a "live" plug.

: In the [[Hasbro]] line, the Street Speed team were released in the third assortment of Mini-Con teams. In Japan, it was part of the massive first wave of ''Legend of the Microns'' product, released in [[Calendar|December]] 2002. Aside from packaging, there are no noteworthy differences between the two releases.

: This mold was also used to make [[Tailslide#Toys|Tailslide]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Mini-Con/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Downshift at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Grap}}
*'''Grap & Lift with Race Micron''' (Multi-pack, 2003)
**''ID number'': '''MS-02'''
**''Release date'': December 26 2002

: The Race Team was available in Japan both as an individual team, and in a multi-pack with [[Smokescreen (Armada)#Toys|Smokescreen]] and [[Liftor#Toys|Liftor]].

: All of the toys in the set are identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|Exdimensions}}
[[Image:2003-racemicron-xdimension-toys.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Race Micron Exdimensions''' (Basic, 2003)
**''ID number'': '''MM-10'''
**''Release date'': December 26 2002

: A limited-edition (but still regular-retail) [[redeco]] of the Race Team was made available in Japan as part of the [[Exdimensions]]. The entire Team was given a deco in varying shades of blue, with "Spin" colored light blue with darker blue and red details.

: This toy also doubles as the separate character [[Spin]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/XSpin/spin.htm More information on Exdimensions Spin at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|ChangeMicron}}
*'''Spin''' (Change Micron, 2003)
**''Release date'': August ?? 2003

: This version of the toy is a "[[candy toy]]" produced by [[Kabaya]] as part of the second ''[[Change Micron]]'' assortment, sold mainly in convenience stores. Though seemingly identical to the normal version of the toy at first glance, not only does this version lack the [[tampograph]]ed "3" deco on his hood, it is actually all new tooling based on the original mold, with minor changes to small details.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/CMSpin/spin.htm More information on Change Micron Spin at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RoadAssault}}
[[File:Armadatoy-RoadAssaultDownshift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Road Assault Mini-Con Team''' (Basic, 2003)

: Released in the sixth wave of ''Armada'' Mini-Con teams, this set is a redeco of the Race Team under a new Team name. For this release, Downshift was colored mostly white with red and black details.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Mini-Con/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Road Assault Downshift at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{anchor|RoadAssaultJapan}}
*'''Spin''' (Promotional Micron, 2003)
**''Release date'': [[August 2]], 2003

: In Japan, individually-bagged members of the Road Assault Team were only available as [[campaign item|promotional giveaways]], a random member of the Team given free with the purchase of ''Armada'' [[Jetfire (Armada)#Toys|Jetfire]] or [[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Toys|Tidal Wave]] at Ito Yokaido stores in August.

{{-}}{{anchor|Booster}}
[[File:Arm-toy Downshift Booster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
*'''Spin''' (Micron Booster, 2003)
**''Booster ID number:'' '''6'''
**''Release date'': [[August 7]], 2003

: Part of the first [[Micron Booster]] set, this version of Downshift is almost totally identical to the retail version, only this uses a slightly-sparkly plastic and paint. Yay.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/MBSpin/spin.htm More information on Micron Booster Spin at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|ArmadaTinyTin}}
*'''Downshift''' (Tiny Tin, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Carrying tin

: In Europe, all three members of the Race Team were made available individually under the original ''Armada'' branding. The toys themselves were unchanged from the original versions, but now each figure included a "[[Tiny Tins|Tiny Tin]]" carrying case.

{{-}}{{anchor|BonusMaxCon}}
*'''Predacon with Side Burn and Skid-Z''' (Max-Con, 2003)
*'''Scavenger with Rollbar''' (Max-Con, 2003)
*'''Thundercracker with Zapmaster''' (Max-Con, 2003)

: The complete Race Team was also included as bonus add-ons with several "Max-Con" class toys; samples of [[Predacon (Armada)#Toys|Predacon]], [[Scavenger (Armada)#Toys|Scavenger]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)#Toys|Thundercracker]] have been found.

: Unfortunately, what retail chain offered these is unknown at this time.

{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
*'''Downshift''' (Tiny Tin, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Carrying tin

: In the United States, the "Tiny Tins" versions of the Race Mini-Con Team members were released in different packaging than their European counterparts, branded as part of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line that didn't exist in Europe. Some [[quality control|errors]] occurred, resulting in European ''Armada''-branded Tiny Tin carrying cases being sold on American ''Universe'' cardbacks.

{{-}}
===''Energon''===
*'''Race Mini-Con Team / Space Mini-Con Team''' (Multi-Pack, 2004)

: An unaltered version of the Road Assault Mini-Con Team (yet named the "Race Team" again) was released as part of an ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''-series "Mini-Con 6-pack" with the [[Space Mini-Con Team#Toys|Space Mini-Con Team]].

: This set was exclusive to both [[Toys"R"Us]] and [[Walmart]] stores.

{{-}}
===''Cybertron''===
*'''Dirt Boss w/ Downshift''' (Bonus pack, 2006)
*'''Thundercracker w/ Downshift''' (Bonus pack, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Carrying tin

: A new redeco of Downshift with a Tiny Tin carrying mini-case was packed in special Wal-Mart exclusive sets. Downshift was packaged with both [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] and [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]]. This time he was colored dark purple with details in white, red and light blue.

: [[Hasbro]] copy writer [[Forest Lee]] confirmed that the ''Cybertron'' Tiny Tins exclusives were originally planned with two different [[Race Mini-Con Team|Race Team]] decos in mind, hence the backstory involving one version of the Team being from an alternate universe and the Tins' decos showing the Mini-Cons in silhouette rather than the normal full-color images. He could not confirm what the then-chosen decos were, however, but it seems likely they would have been [[rebranding|rebranded]] re-releases of the two schemes from ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', given the use of "[[Race Mini-Con Team#RoadAssault|Road Assault Team]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Mini-Con/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Wal-Mart Downshift at TFU.info]''{{ArmadaDownshiftMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The Race Team are the only one of the three "legendary Mini-Con weapons" teams to be released in all three chapters of the [[Unicron Trilogy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Spin''' (スピン ''Supin'')
*''Korean:'' '''Spin''' (스핀 ''Seupin'')
*''Russian:'' '''Ponizhatel'''' (Понижатель, "Lowerer")

[[Category:Armada combiners]]
[[Category:Armada Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Candy toys]]
[[Category:Cybertron combiners]]
[[Category:Cybertron Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Energon combiners]]
[[Category:Energon Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Japanese promotion exclusives]]
[[Category:Micron Boosters]]
[[Category:Mini-Con combiners]]
[[Category:Tiny Tins]]
[[Category:Universe combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]