Crash Course

The Autobots hold a race to unwind for a bit, while Megatron beats up Shockblast.

Summary
Kicker views a video message from his dad, mom, and sister Sally, with Dr. Jones waxing enthusiastic over the new energon grid. Of course, he urges Kicker to keep looking for more energon. Kicker turns the message off in frustration, only to have Sally show up in person. Hot Shot also arrives and tells everyone that their work is not done yet, as the Decepticons are still running rampant.

Scorponok leads a horde of Divebomb and Insecticon clones on a bombing run. Below ground, Megatron is impatient for Unicron's restoration to be completed. Shockblast comments that it's his own fault for failing to defeat the Autobots, and Megatron orders him to fight him.

Ironhide laments that he still feels like a rookie. Hot Shot takes him off on a space bridge run, to "show him something". Feeling bored, Jetfire and Kicker follow, to Misha's frustraton. Arcee notes that "the boys" are treating the new planet as their personal playground. Hot Shot and Ironhide arrive there, and Hot Shot announces that they're going to work on driving skills.

They arrive to find they're here for the Autobot Grand Prix, hosted by Sally and Skyblast... and Ironhide's entered! The other 'bots are doubtful that the rookie can handle it, but Hot Shot gives him a vote of confidence.

Rodimus reports the race to Optimus, who's a bit surprised, but takes it in stride when Rodimus admits to organizing it. Ironhide crashes while trying to pass the others, and Kicker joins him to help out. Jetfire and Bulkhead go to "make things interesting". Downshift and Prowl wind up in a pileup, but keep going. Kicker shows Ironhide how to cheat by drafting off of Downshift, which Ironhide interprets as a cue to sideswipe Prowl out of the way.

Bulkhead decides it's a good idea to open fire on the track, destroying a section of it, delaying some of the racers. Kicker lectures Ironhide on what Hot Shot's been trying to teach him.

Only Hot Shot and Ironhide make it past all the obstacles, when Jetfire decides to add more missile fire to the mix. Optimus shows up with his valet Wingsaber in tow and, after verifying that the laser fire is harmless, decides to join in the shooting-at-one's-comrades fun.

Prime lands in the race course, and Hot Shot and Ironhide must get past him. Ironhide ends up holding Optimus at a standstill, and urges Hot Shot to reach the finish line. But before Hot Shot can get there, Arcee and a mysterrrrious helmeted rider with a lot of long, flowing black hair passes them all and reaches the finish line. It's Misha!! OMG!!!! Who coulda guessed.

In a shiny place, Alpha Q laughs with the Autobots as they celebrate, and finds he likes laughing. His planet is safe!

Hot Shot and Sally says farewell to Kicker and Misha, and depart.

Megatron has beaten the stuffing out of Shockblast, and only stops at the behest of Starscream, who needs him to finish the reconstruction of Unicron.

Dr. Jones finds what he suspects is an ancient temple where an ancient life force awaits to help protect the planet. Suddenly a figure emerges from the floor; energy strikes it, bringing it to life: Omega Supreme!

Stats
Original airdate:

Written by: ???

Featured characters
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes
"What's going on?! Is it an earthquake?" "It's Megatron. He's on the throne again!" "What has he been eating?" "It's energon. He's crazy for it! He sits around in the dark 'cause he doesn't want to waste any of it."
 * -- Snowcat and Demolishor

"I hope you're using blanks." "Oh, I am, sir."
 * -- Jetfire and Optimus pretty much sum up the entire show

"Go.. get 'em... sir?"
 * -- Jetfire, suitably confused

Pain Count

 * "Uh?": 9
 * Team: 2
 * Energon is great: 2
 * "Let's do it!": 6
 * Stock footage: 1