Special Stage

A Special Stage is a closed section of road or track in rally racing where drivers compete individually against the clock to achieve the fastest time, with cars starting at intervals rather than racing side-by-side.

Unlike traditional circuit racing where cars compete wheel-to-wheel on a track, Special Stages are the heart of rally competition. Think of it like a time trial: each car starts separately, usually a few minutes apart, and races through the course as quickly as possible. The driver with the lowest total time across all stages wins the rally.

These stages typically take place on closed public roads, forest tracks, or gravel paths that have been shut down specifically for the competition. A single Special Stage usually measures between 10 and 30 kilometers (roughly 6 to 19 miles), though some can stretch up to 50 kilometers. A complete rally event might feature 15 to 30 different stages spread over several days.

During a Special Stage, teams are essentially on their own. While drivers can communicate with their support crew by radio or phone, no physical assistance is allowed once the stage begins. If something breaks or goes wrong, the driver and co-driver must fix it themselves or retire from that stage. This self-reliance adds an extra layer of challenge to rally competition.

Between Special Stages, competitors drive on regular public roads following normal traffic laws. These connecting sections are called "transport stages" or "liaison sections" and are not timed as part of the competition. They simply get cars from one Special Stage to the next.

The timing system works differently than you might expect. Each car receives a specific start time, and timing begins at that scheduled moment—not when the car actually crosses the start line. If a driver is late to the start, they're already losing time. At the finish, cars cross a "flying finish" line at full speed, with the official time recorded at a stop control point located several hundred meters beyond.

There are special variations of Special Stages worth knowing about. A "Super Special Stage" is designed primarily for spectators and television coverage, often featuring two cars racing simultaneously on parallel tracks, unusual surfaces, or taking place in city centers or race circuits. These tend to be shorter and more spectator-friendly than traditional stages.

The "Power Stage" is another variation used in the World Rally Championship. This is the final stage of each rally and receives television broadcast coverage. The five fastest drivers and co-drivers on the Power Stage earn bonus championship points, regardless of where they finish in the overall rally standings, adding strategic importance to the event's conclusion.