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Tracks (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Tracks is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) is a character in the Transformers Universes
Transformers universes
is an entertainment franchise. It began with the Hasbro Transformers toy line, centered on two factions of warring alien robots which are called the Autobots and the Decepticons...
. The name is now too generic to license in recent times; so the toys creator, Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
had to add a "modifier" - a prefix to the name in order to use it on their product, in this case the name became "Autobot Tracks" or "Turbo Tracks".
Transformers: Generation 1
Tracks is somewhat of a rarity amongst the Autobots in that he prefers his new Earth car mode to his original Cybertronian form. His concern over his appearance has led to some friction with his fellow Autobots, as they think he should be less concerned with his looks and more on the battle with the Decepticons.Tracks speaks with a Boston Brahmin accent
Boston Brahmin accent
The Boston Brahmin accent is a New England accent associated with the Boston Brahmins.In popular culture, users of this accent include the characters Charles Emerson Winchester on M*A*S*H, Walter Gaines on Cheers, Tracks on Transformers and George Feeny on Boy Meets World.-External links:*, from...
, and according to the voice actor Michael McConnohie is modeled on the voice of Thurston Howell, III.
Marvel Comics
Four million years ago, Tracks was one of five Autobots who agreed to have their sparks transferred to crystal storage in case the Autobots needed extra troops during the mission of clearing a path for Cybertron through an asteroid belt. In 1985, the Autobots were suffering heavy casualties and the five Autobots were activated in Rock And Roll Out (U.S. #14). Skids and the others (except Grapple) were shown around Earth by Bumblebee, where Skids encountered music for the first time and proved unable to interact easily with humans. Despite orders not to engage with the enemy, they went on to battle Decepticons at a concert.Tracks was likewise heard complaining about a surprise inspection, but quickly accompanied Optimus Prime in locating the inactive hulk of Megatron. They were fired upon by human authorities, and Prime ordered a withdrawal.
Tracks continued to appear sporadically after this, although he appeared less as more new characters were introduced. He was in the battle in the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
, where he was damaged by the Terrorcon
Terrorcon
The name Terrorcons refers to several different groups in the Transformers toyline. They are referred to as Terrortrons in Japan.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
Blot, and was subsequently amongst the scores of Transformers killed trying stop the Underbase powered Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
.
However, he was resurrected in issue #281 of the Marvel U.K. Transformers comic, as Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...
attempted to revive him. His efforts were stopped by Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
however, who didn't believe Tracks to be an effective warrior. Wheeljack eventually managed to resurrect him anyway, and Prime would station him on Earth - much to Grimlock's fury. His only subsequent appearance was in issue #289, in the last of the U.K.-only stories, where he is among the Autobots sent to rescue journalist Irwin Spoon from the Stunticons. Aside from Bumblebee and possibly Wheeljack (who had stopped earlier to tend to Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
), he is the only one left standing after a high speed chase leaves both groups incapacitated.
Tracks reappeared in the Generation 2 comic during the final battle against Jhiaxus
Jhiaxus
Jhiaxus is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. He is an evil Decepticon jet.-Transformers: Generation 2:Unlike most of the notable characters in the Transformers comics, Jhiaxus is not based on a toy...
's forces. He was pursued by one of Jhiaxus' jets - only to lure it to its destruction by Leadfoot and Manta Ray. It is unclear if he survived the final battle after this.
Animated series
Tracks first appeared in the second season of the original animated series during the episode "Dinobot Island Part 2". He would go on to make regular appearances.He was the star of two connected episodes - "Make Tracks" and "Auto-Bop". In the former he was one of the Autobots assigned to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to combat a spate of car-jackings. Tracks quickly fell in love with the city, but after chasing some car-jackers, ended up crashing and being stolen by a street youth named Raul. The two soon came to an understanding and helped each other discover what the stolen cars were really being used for - to make an army of drones for the Decepticons. The two stopped the scheme, and Tracks put his friend to work fixing the drone cars as a punishment for stealing him in the first place.
In "Auto-Bop" he and Blaster
Blaster (Transformers)
Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...
encountered Raul again. Raul tipped them off that a local disco was being used to brainwash people. The Autobots investigated and soon found the culprits - Starscream and Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. While Blaster and Soundwave duelled with sonics, Tracks used his flying car mode to pursue and shoot down Starscream, ending the threat.
Tracks made a number of other notable appearances. When Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
ignored a giant space creature in order to pursue his vendetta against the Constructicons
Constructicons
right|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
, Tracks was one of the airborne Autobots who valiantly attempted to stop the beast. He was one of those captured by big game hunter Lord Cholmondeley in order to lure in Optimus Prime. Later, Tracks was one of a team of Autobots sent to stop the newly created Stunticons. However, he underestimated their anti-gravity abilities and ended up being smashed out of the air.
Tracks had another prominent appearance in "Trans-Europe Express" a charity auto race from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
was held. The Autobots Bluestreak
Silverstreak
Bluestreak is a character in the Transformers mythos. For trademark reasons his name had to be changed to Silverstreak in 2003. Trademark was returned to Hasbro again in 2010.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
, Sideswipe, Smokescreen
Smokescreen (Transformers)
Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Smokescreen is one of the second year Autobot Cars in the Transformers series. His toy was remolded from Prowl and Bluestreak, itself originating from an earlier Japanese line...
, Sunstreaker
Sunstreaker
Sunstreaker is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. The first is one of the main Autobot cars from the original Transformers series...
, Tracks and Wheeljack
Wheeljack
Wheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...
participated alongside several human racers including Augie Canay. However, the race was sabotaged by the Stunticons, who had been sent by Megatron to obtain one of the racers' cars in order to gain its metal to make a control device for a Cybertronian weather controller. Tracks was run off the road by the Stunticons again, but later managed to stop the Decepticons by destroying the Pearl itself, before escaping the vengeful Menasor.
Like many other season 2 Autobots, Tracks was gradually phased out for season 3.
He appears on a few scenes of episode 3 ofTransformers: Headmasters during some operations on Earth under the command of Ultra Magnus.
Books
Tracks was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.Dreamwave Productions
When Prowl and his team of Autobots confronted TrypticonTrypticon
Trypticon is a fictional character in the Transformers toyline.-Transformers: Generation 1:Trypticon is the Decepticons' principal command base. He has three modes: a city, a mobile battle station, and a Tyrannosaurus rex. In each mode, he has a variety of weapons...
the Autobots Hound, Tracks, Trailbreaker and others showed up as reinforcements (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #4).
Devil's Due Publishing
Tracks reappeared in the third G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers crossover series from Devil's Due PublishingDevil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing is an independent comic book publishers in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned properties that populate its monthly comic book series and graphic novels.Though...
as part of the combined Autobot/G.I. Joe force trying to rescue Optimus Prime.
Voice actor plays
Although no Tracks toy was made for the Transformers: UniverseTransformers: Universe
Transformers: Universe is a line of toys that consists of re-painted and re-released toys from various Transformers lines of toys. For the comic book series see Transformers Universe .- Toy line :...
line, Generation 1 Tracks appeared in the 2004 Botcon voice actor play. Here, he was part of the crew of a timelost shuttle (alongside Bumblebee and Cosmos
Cosmos (Transformers)
Cosmos is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as "Autobot Cosmos" for trademark purposes.Wired Magazine once nominated him as one of the 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time....
) that had been pulled through time by a mysterious vortex. They quickly encountered a group of later era Transformers - Silverbolt, Rattrap and Waspinator
Waspinator
Waspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...
- and helped them rescue two groups of Transformers dimensionally displaced from the RiD
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
universe by one of Rhinox
Rhinox
Rhinox is the name of three fictional characters from various Transformers universes.-Beast Wars:Rhinox's character in the Beast Wars television series is very different from how the toy was depicted. As one of the first year toys, the toy of Rhinox was created before the television series came...
' devices. Despite interference from the Decepticons (servants of Unicron
Unicron
Unicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
), they succeeded, rescued the other Transformers, and were sent back to their own time.
Tracks appeared in the 2006 TransformersCon voice actor play. Voices in the play were performed by a variety of volunteers and the actual voice actors attending the convention. In this play various Transformers from different timelines and realities were swept up in a repeat wave and transported along with Unicron
Unicron
Unicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...
to Earth. The Transformers included Generation 1 Tracks, Ariel, Cosmos and Megatron, Beast Wars Tarantulas
Tarantulas (Transformers)
Tarantulas is a Predacon in theBeast Wars series who turns into a tarantula. Due to problems in trade-marking the name, later releases of the character were called Predacon Tarantulus by Hasbro.-Beast Wars:...
, Robots in Disguise Sky-Byte
Sky-Byte
Sky-Byte is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is usually a Predacon who turns in a mechanical shark.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:...
and Beast Machines Tankor
Tankor
Tankor is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:This version of Tankor, initially called Octane, is the Decepticons' fueler, in charge of storing and distributing fuel among Decepticons with vehicle modes. He is characterized as...
. Tracks was played by his actual Generation 1 animated series voice actor. Eventually the Transformers were able to learn that the death of Unicron in 2005 was what created the repeat wave. They defeated Unicron by tricking him into Transforming and using up his power, then using the Key to Vector Sigma program (which Tankor had brought with him) to tap into the power of Vector Sigma
Vector Sigma
In the fictional universe of the first Transformers animated series, Vector Sigma is the "mega-computer" that gives sentience to non-sentient robots, and is used by the Quintessons to endow their robotic creations with the true life that eventually leads to their rebellion...
itself, and through it the Matrix of Leadership. With Unicron severely drained the various Transformers faded back to their original timelines.
Fun Publications
Alternators Tracks was a minor background character appearing in Fun PublicationsFun Publications
Fun Publications is a publishing company that runs the Transformers Collectors Club and G.I. Joe Collectors Club under licensefrom Hasbro. Besides releasing comics, Fun Publications releases exclusive toys and runs conventions for their clubs....
fiction "Gone to Far", a text-based story set on Transtech
Transtech
Transtech is an unreleased line of toys under the Transformers umbrella.-History:After the Beast Machines line ended, Hasbro planned a follow-up series called Transtech. The Transtech concept was a line intended to take Transformers to their most futuristic looking bodies and more plausible designs...
Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
.
Toys
- Generation 1 Tracks (1985)
- Transforms from Chevrolet Corvette to robot, with retractable wings for flight mode. The toy for Tracks was originally part of the Takara Diaclone line, where it was red.
- Reissued as Autobot Tracks as part of Commemorative Series 5 in 2003.
- Repainted red into the eHobby exclusive Autobot Road Rage.
- Generation 1 Action Master Tracks (1991)
- As part of Europe's continuing exclusive Transformer toys, Tracks returned as an Action Master, along with his new partner - the battle droid Basher. Basher transformed into a backpack for Tracks to wear which came equipped with a protective helmet armed with missile-launchers.
- A super-cool cruiser with a knack for more flashy maneuvering. He loves looking good. Always washing and waxing his armor for a dazzling shine. Often feels the battle hasn't really started until he gets out there. Does everything with a flair that seems to attract attention. A bit self-absorbed, but extremely powerful and well equipped in battle. Armed with a devastating black beam gun that fires concussion bursts of billowing, black gas that momentarily blind enemy forces. Armored vehicle Basher is equipped with infra-red scanners, remote controlled surveillance cameras, heat seeking missiles and laser beam trip wires for short-range covert operations. Basher combines with Tracks to form the interactive bodysuit with intelligent weapon system.
- Smallest Transformers Tracks (unreleased)
- Originally planned for released in wave 2 of the Smallest Transformers line, but was canceled along with Skids and the add-on parts for Megatron.
- Tracks' recent revival was as a Binaltech toy in Japan, transforming into a Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06The Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 is a high-performance version of the C5 Corvette sports car. Introduced by Chevrolet as their corporate and performance flagship, production began in 2001 and ended with the 2004 model year.-General:...
. At the request from General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, the figure was colored yellow, which was the official racing color of the Chevrolet Corvette C5-RChevrolet Corvette C5-RThe Chevrolet Corvette C5-R is a grand touring racing car built by Pratt & Miller and General Motors for competition in endurance racing. The car is based on the C5 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car, yet is designed purely for motorsports use...
race car. Like his G1 predecessor, Tracks sports a red face and white missiles. The engine block transforms into his gun in robot mode. Unlike the G1 version, however, Tracks does not have retractable wings. - Tracks' transformation is similar to Mach Alert/Prowl from Transformers: Car Robots/Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
, wherein the doors form his skirt armor and the quarter panels form his shoulders - giving him a SamuraiSamuraiis the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
look.- Binaltech BT-06 Tracks (Blue) (2004)
- A G1-accurate blue version of Tracks was released months after the yellow version. This figure featured Tracks' iconic flaming Autobot emblem on his hood.
- Alternators Autobot Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06) (2004)
- Like the other figures in the Alternators line, Tracks was molded completely in plastic instead of incorporating diecast parts that the Binaltech line used. Originally, the yellow version was to be released in the U.S. market. However, the difference in materials used to create the toy caused the yellow plastic to show the toy parts in certain lights. Therefore, the figure was sold in G1-accurate blue.
- Redecoed in red as SwerveSwerve (Transformers)Swerve is the name given to several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Swerve is always depicted as an Autobot land vehicle with red color. Up until 2008, there has never been a Transformer named Swerve with his own original mold - he has only been a repaint or remold from someone...
, with a new head sculpt. Also remolded into a black convertible as the Decepticon Battle RavageRavage (Transformers)Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
.- Reveal the Shield Deluxe Turbo Tracks (2010)
- A new mold announced at BotCon 2010. His new form is a cross between a Chevrolet Corvette C6Chevrolet Corvette C6The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 2005 model year. The current generation Corvette is the first with exposed headlamps since the 1962 model...
and a Dodge ViperDodge ViperThe first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
. As a modern take on the G1 toy's flame decal, the hood sports red and yellow tribal flame tattoos. Also, as an homage to the original G1 toy, the car mode features a flight mode, wherein the doors fold down and winglets extend from the door panels. - The mold for this figure is also used for WheeljackWheeljackWheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the Autobots in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara and Hasbro. His...
in the GenerationsTransformers: Generationsright|thumb|Generations Deluxe Cybertronian Optimus PrimeTransformers: Generations is a 2010 toy line by Hasbro. Much like the preceding Universe toy line, Generations covers different eras of Transformers; here, the toys are based upon characters from Generation 1 and the video game Transformers:...
toy line.- United
- The Japanese version of Reveal the Shield Turbo Tracks by Takara TomyTakara Tomyis a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
features a metallic paint finish and the original G1 flame decal on the hood.