In the mid-to-late '80s, Tracks "volunteered" the services of Raoul, who initially tried to steal Tracks. Though Raoul's background was sketchy, Sparkplug remembered countless people in his military batillion who came from similar backgrounds and were able to rise above their environments. Sparkplug took Raoul under his wing, teaching him the ins and outs of car repair on the condition that he stay away from his very-impressionable 15-year-old son. After proving himself in the garage, Sparkplug eventually lifted his "ban" from speaking with Spike.