Special stage (rallying)

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Conrad Rautenbach driving on a special stage during the 2007 Rally GB

Special stages (SS) are the competitive sections of a stage rally event where the goal is to cover a stretch of closed road in the shortest time. On a special stage cars are set off individually at set intervals to reduce the chances of being impeded by other competitors. Each special stage is a relatively short section, usually up to about 30 miles in length. A rally usually consists of around 15-30 special stages. The driver with the lowest combined time for all special stages in an event is the winner.

The roads on which special stages are held vary from rally to rally for example asphalt mountain passes as used on the Monte Carlo Rally to rough forest tracks used on the Rally GB. Surfaces such as ice and snow or desert sand are also common, with the aim of providing a challenge for the driver and crew as well as a test of the car's performance and reliability.

While competing on a special stage, the drivers and co-drivers can have no support from their teams (except through radio contact) and must deal with any breakdowns or problems themselves.

The cars must travel between special stages on public roads, often known as transport stages. While on public roads, all local traffic laws must be obeyed so all cars must be roadworthy and taxed and insured. Drivers may be given a scheduled time to arrive at their destination to ensure they do not speed during the journey, with penalties for arriving too soon or too late (although the margin for late arrival is quite large).

[edit] Super special stage

A Super Special Stage held during the 2006 Rally Argentina

It's common to see rallies containing a "Super Special Stage" (SSS) or "Spectator Stage", these are timed stages like standard special stages, but are held on short purpose built tracks, often in stadiums. Commonly two cars will set off at the same time and at the halfway point of the stage will swap lanes. The short distance means that the difference in times between the top runners is often negligible, and so the stage is not relevant to the overall classification.