Scooter track day: what to expect

A track day is a day spent on a closed circuit, without any rankings or races: riders take turns on the track in sessions, grouped with other riders of similar skill levels, under the supervision of track marshals. This is the only environment where you can legally explore the performance capabilities of a powerful electric scooter, and it's the best training ground before any competition. Here's how a typical track day unfolds, and how to prepare for it properly.

Previously: Find a suitable day and register

Events are organized by racetracks, motorcycle clubs, racing teams, or groups of riders. Some are open to electric scooters or other electric two-wheelers, while others share the track with mini-bikes or pit bikes on a shorter course. Before booking, be sure to check:

• that electric scooters are generally well-received;
• The required equipment;
• The required insurance coverage: according to the organizer, either a license from the French Cycling Federation (FFM) – which offers both annual and day passes – or a separate, single-day insurance policy
• The availability of charging outlets, and any associated fees for their use;
• The duration of the sessions and the number of groups.

The scooter is transported to the track by car or van: a machine prepared for the track has no place on public roads, where electric scooters are limited to 25 km/h. Our guide on unlocked scooters, the law, and the track provides an overview.

The equipment:

The organizers generally require equipment similar to that used in competitions: a homologated full-face helmet, leather suit, gloves, back protector, and boots. For the E'trott Racing championship, the 2026 regulations also require a chest protector and a one-piece suit. If in doubt, come equipped as if you were participating in a race. Details can be found in our guide on rider equipment.

In the morning: registration, inspection, and briefing

Upon arrival, we head to the paddock, the area reserved for the vehicles and teams. Next come the formalities: checking licenses or insurance, and sometimes a quick inspection of the vehicle and equipment. The official primarily checks the brakes, the condition of the tires, the tightness of the components, and the absence of leaks or loose parts.

The briefing is mandatory. It covers the track layout, pit lane entry and exit, overtaking rules, the meaning of flags, and the day's schedule. Don't miss it: this is where the specific rules for this circuit are explained.

The sessions

The day is structured into sessions lasting a few minutes to twenty minutes, divided into groups based on skill level: beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Between sessions, there's time to recharge, check your equipment, and discuss progress.

For the first session:

• For the first few laps, drive at a moderate speed to warm up the tires and brakes
• Identify the routes, braking points, and bumps
• Maintain a straight line and avoid sudden swerving: faster riders will overtake you by anticipating your trajectory
• Raise your hand and enter through the pit lane if you are slowing down or if something is wrong.

Flags

The specific flags and their meanings will be explained during the briefing. If you are unsure about anything, follow the instructions of the organizer.

Between rides: recharge and monitor

A powerful electric scooter will drain its battery much faster on a track than on the road. Be sure to bring your charger, a sufficiently sized and well-maintained extension cord, and plug it in as soon as you return to the pit area. A warm battery should cool down slightly before charging. Use the break to check:

• Tire pressure, when tires are warm
• The firmness of the brake levers and the wear of the brake pads
• The tightening of the axles, the steering column, and the brake calipers;
• Check the temperature of the motors and the controller, either by hand or on the screen.

To work on the machine in the pit lane, disconnect the battery: our racing circuit breaker isolates it with a single action.

In the evening: Review and assess

Note what you've learned: settings, pressures, lap times (if you have them), sensations, and anything that got hot, moved, or made noise. These notes will guide your preparation for the next day. If the machine showed its limitations, our guide preparing an electric scooter for the track provides the order in which to address these issues.