Electric scooters are a true revolution in urban mobility. They offer many advantages such as saving money, respecting the environment, saving time, and ergonomic travel. Following this boom, electric scooters have finally found a place in high-level sports. Increasingly, electric scooter races are now being held. Technological advances have allowed manufacturers to offer models that are increasingly powerful, fast, and lightweight, challenging the laws of gravity.
These high-performance models have therefore attracted a new category of users: competitors. They gather on circuits with optimal safety equipment to compete in thrilling races.
In this article, Weebot presents how an electric scooter race unfolds, the rules governing these competitions, as well as the necessary equipment.
The rules of an electric scooter race
Here are some rules extracted from the official regulations of the France Trott Racing Championships:
- The electric scooters must comply with RTS standards (safety standards).
- The maximum allowed weight for the electric scooters is 65 kg.
- The electric scooters are divided into three categories: Monotype, Light, and Racing, each with its own requirements.
- The plates of the electric scooters must be specific colors according to the category: blue for Monotype, red for Light, and black for Racing, with white numbers.
- The races take place on certified circuits.
- Before each race, riders must present their license for administrative checks.
- The electric scooters must pass technical inspections to ensure they comply with safety and technical rules.
- A France Champion title is awarded for each category at the end of the season, thus rewarding the best.
Progress of an electric scooter race
ESC Live is the first world championship of electric scooter races. This championship offers an impressive visual and technological spectacle.
Each ESC race brings together several teams and riders. There are always a total of 10 teams and 3 riders per team. One of the advantages of the championship is that teams are composed of men and women; ESC makes no gender distinctions.
Each championship event includes elimination races followed by quarter-finals and semi-finals. As the events progress, the number of qualified riders decreases. Only 6 out of the 30 riders participate in the final.
The final ranking of the race is determined by the position of each rider once the finish line is crossed. To determine the overall ranking for the season, points are awarded to riders during the races based on their position at different moments of the race. For example, being 4th during the elimination phases will earn 3 points versus 8 during the final. The rider in first position during the quarter-finals will receive 6 points in each race preceding the final. If they are first during the final, they will then be awarded 15 points.
There are also individual races that operate under the same principle as team races.
If you want to learn more about the ESC championship, visit the ESC - LIVE website.
Equipment for an electric scooter race
With fast electric scooters designed for racing, participants sometimes reach speeds exceeding 100 km/h. It is therefore essential to have appropriate equipment to ensure their safety. Moreover, participants in electric scooter races are directly exposed in case of an accident because an electric scooter does not have a chassis.
The number 1 safety element for electric scooters is the helmet. It protects the skull during falls. The head is an extremely fragile part of the human body and can cause serious potentially fatal injuries in case of a fall. That is why during these races, the same helmets (full-face helmets) as those used in MotoGP are found.
For the same reasons, participants are also seen equipped with many other safety accessories such as elbow pads, knee pads, and back protectors. These equipments absorb shocks and protect the spine. Gloves are also essential to protect the hands, offering both a better grip on the scooter and protection in case of a fall. A durable racing suit, often made of leather, is also added to the safety equipment.
FAQ
What are the fastest electric scooters?
Among the fastest electric scooters on the market, we find these 3 models:
- Dualtron Thunder 2: 100 km/h
- Dualtron X-2: 110 km/h
- Teverun Fighter Supreme 7260R: 120 km/h
Of course, there are models even faster than the electric scooters presented above but they are not approved for road use.
How to watch an electric scooter race?
As these races are rapidly developing, it is necessary to regularly check the media and forums on electric scooters to be aware if a race is taking place near you. To attend, consult the information provided by the organizers before the race. You can also find foreign TV channels that broadcast electric scooter races as well as streaming platforms
What is the regulation on electric scooters?
The highway code regulates the use of electric scooters. They fall under the category of EDPM (motorized personal mobility device). Since the practice is developing very rapidly, the law is constantly evolving. It is therefore important to stay informed about updates to the law. For this, consult our article on the new 2024 regulation on electric scooters.