Super Special Stage

A Super Special Stage is a short, spectator-friendly racing section in rally events designed to be exciting for crowds to watch, often held in stadiums, city centers, or racing circuits where fans can see the entire course.

Unlike traditional rally stages that take place on remote forest roads or mountain passes where spectators might only catch a glimpse of cars flying past, super special stages bring the action directly to the audience. Think of it as rally racing's answer to a stadium concert—instead of spreading out across miles of countryside, everything happens in one compact, accessible location.

These stages are typically much shorter than regular rally stages. While a normal stage might be 20 to 50 kilometers long and take 15 minutes or more to complete, a super special stage usually measures just a few kilometers and lasts only a couple of minutes. This shorter format keeps the action fast-paced and allows spectators to see multiple cars compete in quick succession.

One popular format for super special stages involves head-to-head racing. Two cars start at the same time on parallel or mirrored tracks, sometimes crossing over each other's paths at certain points. This side-by-side competition creates dramatic moments as drivers race wheel-to-wheel, which is rare in traditional rallying where cars start individually at timed intervals.

Super special stages often serve as the opening act of a rally weekend, typically held on Thursday or Friday evenings. This timing helps build excitement and allows rally organizers to attract larger crowds who might not be able to travel to remote stages during the day. The World Rally Championship frequently uses this format to kick off events with maximum fanfare.

The surface and conditions of a super special stage might differ from the rest of the rally. For example, a rally that primarily runs on gravel roads might feature a super special stage on asphalt. This variation adds an extra challenge for drivers and teams while making the stage more suitable for urban or stadium venues.

While super special stages are exciting, they rarely determine who wins a rally. The short distance means drivers typically gain or lose only a few seconds compared to their competitors. However, mistakes still matter—a crash or mechanical problem during a super special stage can end a driver's rally before it truly begins.

These stages serve an important promotional purpose for rallying. By making the sport more accessible and visually exciting, super special stages help attract new fans and media attention. They've been held in creative venues like football stadiums, city squares, and purpose-built circuits, bringing professional rally racing to audiences who might never visit a traditional forest stage.