Tracks (G1)

Tracks is an Autobot in the Generation 1 continuity family.

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

The truth is, Tracks' 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

Hungarian name: Vagány (meaning "Tough guy" or something like that)

Italian name: Puma

Fiction

Generation 1

(Re?)constructed on Earth by 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 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. Dark Star!

(Note: Events in italics occurred only in the Marvel UK books.)

In the Earthforce timeline, Wheeljack was trying to revive Tracks, but Grimlock continued to secretly 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. 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. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides.

Animated continuity

Voice actor: Michael McConnohie (USA), Shô Hayami (Japan)

Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He, 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. 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'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 cars drones. Make Tracks

When San Francisco was threatened by an alien bird creature, Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city. The Secret of Omega Supreme

Whilst out on a supply run with Bumblebee, Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared some Autobots had much to be humble about. Watching a storefront television report by Hector Ramirez on the dissappearance of a top secret Soviet jet, of which blame was placed on the United States. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convienient as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover they 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. 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, also noticing 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' robot body). As Tracks left remarking that Dancitron wasn't his kind of club, Tracks 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 the humans were travelling in was 'activated' by Starscream and sped up the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed 'workers' at a construction site of something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

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 is attacked by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up onto 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 proceeds 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, Tracks was outgunned and outpowered, the Autobot used his superior agility to trick Starscream to fly into the half-constructed building and damage himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help out the Bop crew by acting as their boombox for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. Auto-Bop

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the 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 into a boulder and flipped over. 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 to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". 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 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 interferring with his plans for the Pearl of Bahoudin. Teamed up with Cahnay and a scientist who mysteriously disppears during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated Menasor and destroyed the Pearl . Trans-Europe Express

Dreamwave comics continuity

Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of 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, though, and formed a resistance cell with Smokescreen.

Toys

Generation 1

• Tracks (Autobot Car, 1985, 2002/2003)

Japanese ID number: 44, TFC-4

Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.

The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue Corvette Stingray with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks' vehicle mode could 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, this time in his blue colors scheme. Because of this, the red MB version ended up being rather rare.

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)

As if I would be seen wearing that.

This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to more closely resemble his cartoon appearances. As with all Action Masters, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time, and came with small tank partner named Basher. Basher 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

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 Corvette Z06 featuring open doors, 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.

This mold was retooled to make Alternators Battle Ravage.

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.

• Voice actor Michael McConnohie claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from Gilligan's Island, played by Jim Backus, as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks' 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. 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. 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 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' G1 wings, were 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 having seen the packaged toy in person was unable to take a photo as evidence. Thus, this rumor is considered to have similar credibility as 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.

External links

• Tracks at TFU.info
• Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net