RecceLabWhat is a special stage in rallying?
A special stage (SS) is a timed section of closed road where rally crews race against the clock, one car at a time. A rally is made of many special stages; the crew with the lowest total time, stage times plus any penalties, wins.
Special stage: the definition
Unlike circuit racing, rally cars do not race wheel to wheel. The event is split into:
- Special stages: roads closed to the public, timed to a tenth of a second. This is where the rally is decided.
- Road sections (also called liaisons): normal public roads between stages and the service park. Crews must obey traffic rules and reach each checkpoint on time.
Stages can be on gravel, tarmac, snow and ice, or a mix. In the World Rally Championship most stages are somewhere between about 10 and 30 km long, although shorter and longer stages exist. Many stages are run twice in a day, once in the morning loop and again in the afternoon, when the road is often rougher or dirtier.
How a special stage runs
- Time control (TC). Before each stage crews check in at a time control at the minute shown on their time card. Arriving early or late is penalised.
- Stage start. Cars start one by one at fixed intervals, often one to three minutes apart depending on the event and class. The start is given with a countdown from a clock or marshal.
- On the stage. The co-driver reads the pace notes while the driver drives at full speed. Intermediate split times let teams and fans compare pace during the stage.
- Flying finish. The stage time stops as the car passes the finish line at speed.
- Stop control. A short distance after the flying finish, the car stops and the stage time is written on the time card.
After the stop control the crew continues on the road section to the next time control or back to service.
Road order and why it matters
Because cars start one after another, the conditions change as the stage is used. On gravel, the first cars on the road act as "sweepers": they clear loose gravel from the driving line and are usually slower, while later cars get a cleaner, faster road. In wet or muddy conditions the effect can reverse, with later cars facing deeper ruts. For this reason championships set rules for the road order (running order), typically based on championship position on the first day and on overall position after that.
Types of special stages
Super special stage (SSS)
A short, spectator-friendly stage, often in a stadium, city centre or purpose-built venue. Some super specials have two parallel tracks so that two cars run side by side. They usually take place on the opening evening and rarely change the result much, but they attract large crowds.
Power Stage
The final stage of a WRC event, broadcast live. Under the points system used since 2025, the five fastest eligible drivers on the Power Stage receive bonus points: 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. Read more in our WRC guide.
Shakedown
Shakedown is a test session on a stage-like road before the rally starts, used to check the car and setup. Its times do not count towards the result.
What special stages are called in other languages
Rally is international, and the abbreviation for a special stage changes with the language. Commonly used terms include:
| Language | Term | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| English | special stage | SS |
| Turkish | özel etap | ÖE |
| German | Wertungsprüfung | WP |
| French | épreuve spéciale / spéciale | ES |
| Italian | prova speciale | PS |
| Spanish | tramo cronometrado | TC |
| Portuguese | prova especial de classificação | PEC |
| Finnish | erikoiskoe | EK |
| Polish | odcinek specjalny | OS |
Safety on special stages
Special stages are closed and controlled by marshals, with medical and rescue teams on standby. Crews carry safety equipment such as warning triangles and an OK/SOS board to signal after an accident. Spectators must stay in designated areas; standing on the outside of corners is one of the most dangerous places to be.
Practise a stage with RecceLab
With RecceLab you can prepare a stage before you drive it: draft corners from a GPX route, record notes on recce with GPS, and replay the stage with onboard video and your notes in sync. It is a practical way for new co-drivers to train their reading rhythm.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a special stage?
It varies by event. In the WRC most stages are roughly 10–30 km; super specials can be only a few kilometres, while some classic stages are considerably longer.
What happens if a stage is stopped?
If a stage is stopped, for example after an accident, crews who could not complete it at full speed may be given a notional time decided by the stewards.
Is the road section timed?
Road sections have target times, checked at time controls, but they are not a race. Crews must drive legally and arrive on schedule.